How Training Construction Workers Helps Contractors Win More Jobs

The construction industry is facing a skilled labor shortage, but simply competing for experienced workers isn't a long-term solution. Construction companies need to invest in training and develop the next generation of skilled workers. Everyone wants journey-level people on day one. But as Jennifer puts it, for every five people leaving, only one is coming in. The contractors winning work aren't hiring their way out of that gap. They're building stronger talent pipelines. Jennifer Wilkerson, VP of Innovation and Advancement at NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research), joins Ryan Ware to discuss skilled trades training, workforce development, and why training is no longer an expense. It's a strategic investment. What we cover: • Why the average craft professional is now 48 to 54 years old, and what that means for your next project • Why hiring only journey-level workers is a short-game strategy • How one contractor kept training through COVID while others cut budgets, and grew 30 percent • How training improves productivity, reduces rework and strengthens safety • "What if I train them and they leave?" and why it's the wrong question • How credentials and stackable training build long-term talent pipelines • Where a career in the trades can lead: foreman, superintendent, business owner, C-suite The Shift: Recruiting alone won't close the gap. Architects, engineers, owners, project managers and HR leaders all depend on a skilled workforce that someone has to develop. Construction leadership now means treating people development as part of how you win and deliver work, the same way you treat schedule, cost and safety. Who this episode is for: Construction executives, contractors, project managers, superintendents, workforce and HR leaders, and anyone in architecture, engineering or construction responsible for building the teams that build the work. If this conversation changed how you think about training your people, subscribe to Activating Curiosity for weekly conversations with the leaders shaping the future of the built environment. Then share this episode with the person on your team who decides where the training budget goes. Links: Activating Curiosity: https://ActivatingCuriosity.com Connective Consulting Group: https://ConnectiveConsultingGrp.com Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn:   / ryankware   ‪@NCCER_US‬ Timestamps: 00:00 Why the Construction Labor Shortage Needs a New Approach 01:16 Jennifer Wilkerson on Construction Workforce Development 03:29 From Education to the Construction Industry 07:49 Why Skilled Trades Careers Lost Ground to College Degrees 14:06 Helping People Find Careers in the Skilled Trades 21:40 Why Construction Workforce Training Is an Investment 23:39 Why Contractors Need to Train Their Own Workers 26:21 Career Growth in Construction: From Trades to Leadership 30:27 What If You Train Employees and They Leave? 32:50 Why Construction Training and Certifications Matter 35:35 How Investing in Employees Improves Company Culture 39:00 Why the Construction Skilled Labor Shortage Matters 44:19 Building the Next Generation of Skilled Construction Workers 48:06 The Cost of Not Training Construction Employees 55:14 What Successful Construction Workforce Development Looks Like 59:25 How Construction Leaders Can Support Workforce Training 1:02:26 NCCER Resources for Construction Training 1:04:14 Final Thoughts on the Future of Construction Careers How is your company currently approaching crew training and certifications? #ConstructionIndustry #SkilledLaborShortage #ConstructionWorkforce #WorkforceDevelopment #SkilledTrades #ConstructionTraining #ConstructionLeadership #NCCER #ConstructionCareers #ActivatingCuriosity