Construction ’ s career crisis : Recruiters target young workers driving the Great Resignation
An increasing number of job seekers are open to something new . The trouble is , few are likely to set their sights on construction .
By Ryan Golden
This is the second in a series of articles looking at the skilled labor crisis in construction , its causes and potential solutions . Click here for the entire series .
Skilled trade companies are desperate for talent .
How desperate ? Just listen to the stories of people like Donald “ Bo ” McNabb , senior instructor in construction management at Indiana State University ’ s College of Technology . McNabb shared a story from his son , a vocational high school teacher who took his class to tour a limestone quarry in Bloomington , Indiana .
“ The gentleman in charge of the plant said ‘ we ’ ll take just about everybody right now who has a good attitude and is willing to learn ,’” McNabb said . “’ We ’ ll hire them on the spot .’”
or McNabb and others who spoke with HR Dive , the problem is nothing new for construction employers . In fact , sources said they have been aware of the industry ’ s coming talent crunch for decades as experienced workers depart with no clear replacements lined up . An analysis this year
10 DITCHMEN • NOVEMBER 2021