While workforce shortages have become much more commonplace across many business sectors during the pandemic, the construction industry’s skilled job vacancies have reached dire levels. According to analysis from the U.S. Department of Labor’s statistical data—released almost a year ago—the demand expressed in sheer numbers is alarming. In 2021 alone, it was predicted that the industry would need to hire an additional 430,000 workers to meet the needs of commercial construction companies. Additionally, it was also reported that a growth rate higher than the predicted 1.3% could boost the number of required employees to one million.

At the owner and managerial level of the commercial construction industry, most leaders are more than aware of the dire shortage of skilled labor. There’s no need to continue preaching to the choir. The real question is, what do we do about it? Brian Montelongo, president of the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute (RMMI), and Christy Crook, president of Phoenix Masonry, address key questions about the industry’s most pressing concern.

Reprinted courtesy of Christy Crook and Brian Montelongo, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.
Ms. Crook may be contacted at christy@phoenix-masonry.net
Mr. Montelongo may be contacted at brian.montelongo@
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