The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, heard from representatives of the construction industry in a hearing entitled “Closing the Skills Gap and Boosting U.S. Competitiveness” on March 29.
There are about 100,000 fewer people working in the construction industry today than in 2007, said Rory DeJohn, senior vice president, Turner Construction Company. Though the industry has been able to fill the gap with higher productivity aided by new technology, the trend is for the skills gap to worsen, he said.
“There is a shortage of education and training opportunities for the people our industry needs most,” DeJohn said. There are efforts to increase the diversity of the talent pipeline, he said. “The Future City Competition, the ACE Mentor Program and Turner’s own YouthForce 2020 program are just three programs that are addressing this,” DeJohn said.
Efforts to make the construction industry safer, support for industry trade groups, and getting the word out to high school guidance counselors about opportunities in the industry can also make a difference, DeJohn said. Another key opportunity: helping to transition military veterans to the construction industry.
Related Stories
| Sep 1, 2011
Project Aims to Automate Code Compliance Assessment
FIATECH, a consortium of owners from the industrial, power, and retail markets that build large structures, launched a project this year to validate the use of automation technology for code compliance assessment, and to accelerate the regulatory approval process using building models. Long-term objectives include the development of an extensive, open-source rule set library that is approved by industry and regulatory bodies for use by technology developers and code officials.
| Sep 1, 2011
EPA Says Additional Lead Paint Cleaning Rules Not Necessary
The EPA has concluded that current Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (LRRP) cleaning requirements and lead-safe work regulations are sufficient to protect the public from lead dust hazards. “Our members have been instrumental in contacting legislators to detail the detrimental impact of the current LRRP," says Richard Walker, American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s president and CEO. “This collective industry voice has prompted the EPA to make the responsible decision to refrain from adding further, unnecessary costs to homeowners under the current economic climate."http://www.aamanet.org/news/1/10/0/all/603/aama-commends-its-members-congress-for-vacating-lrrp-clearance-rule
| Aug 11, 2010
Best AEC Firms of 2011/12
Later this year, we will launch Best AEC Firms 2012. We’re looking for firms that create truly positive workplaces for their AEC professionals and support staff. Keep an eye on this page for entry information. +
