The construction industry is the backbone of our economies. It delivers the infrastructure that connects us, the homes we live in, the schools and colleges we learn at and the hospitals which keep us healthy.

Worryingly however, the sector is faced with an ever-growing challenge – the widening skills gap. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) warned us last year the industry needed an estimated 500,000 workers across the country just to meet projected demand.

It is my belief that without a clear plan to attract, train and of course retain the next generation of construction workers, the industry will struggle to deliver the buildings, homes and infrastructure needed.

One of the greatest barriers to solving the skills shortage is perception. This challenge is not just limited to the USA – it's an issue I have seen happening all over the globe. Construction is often overlooked as a viable career path due to myths about poor pay and manual labour and is seldom included in careers advice for young people.
What you do not often hear – and what we need to be screaming from the rooftops – is the breadth of opportunity the industry offers, from opportunities across digital design and sustainability to project management, leadership and beyond.

To shift that narrative, I believe we need to begin in grade schools. Engagement cannot wait until college or vocational training because by then, many students have already made career decisions shaped by industries which invest heavily in outreach. Sectors like technology, finance and healthcare excel at this.

To take these sorts of industries on, construction needs significant government-backed investment to launch outreach programmes into elementary, middle, and high schools.
Traditionally, the American construction industry has supplemented its workforce with skilled labour from overseas. But recent developments are making this less reliable. You only need to look at the arrests of workers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Hyundai factory in Georgia recently to see why international recruitment is becoming fraught with uncertainty.

I believe companies will continue to become more hesitant to rely on overseas labour, even when skilled workers are in short supply. If that trend continues, then the onus on building a sustainable, homegrown workforce will become even more vital.

There are already excellent examples of colleges across the country offering construction-related courses that are producing talented graduates. These institutions prove what is possible when education and industry work in tandem, but colleges alone cannot close the gap.

The real opportunity lies in inspiring young people much earlier. We need initiatives that highlight the creativity of design, the technological innovation shaping modern construction, and the role our sector plays in tackling global challenges such as climate change. There was a fantastic example some years ago where young people were given the chance to design buildings through the popular video game Minecraft.

While many of us in the industry have these great intentions at heart, the resourcing of such outreach must be provided by The Government. I would argue that addressing the skills gap in construction is not just an industry issue – it is a national one. Ultimately, without a stable pipeline of talent, infrastructure projects will stall, costs will rise, and it is the people within our communities who take the brunt of the impact.

Substantial investment in early education outreach will not only benefit our industry, but also strengthen the economy, create opportunities for young people, and build resilience into the nation’s future.

Of course, it can’t all be down to the politicians, and the industry must also be ready to step up. We need to work with educators, provide role models, and open doors to young people to help them find their footing. 

At CIOB, we recognise this responsibility. Our Tomorrow’s Leaders program is just one example of how the industry can empower young professionals. By providing mentoring, networking, and opportunities to influence the future of the profession, the program is helping to develop the next generation of leaders who will carry construction forward.
In summary, the construction sector offers a career of purpose, creativity, and impact. It is up to us - and to The Government - to ensure young people know this from the earliest possible age. The skills gap is ever-growing and will not go away by itself, but I believe with vision, investment, and collaboration, we can inspire a new generation to build the future.