Photo by Frank Lopez | Industry and education have been collaborating to present students opportunities in the trades and to bolster the future construction workforce.

Central Valley construction companies and local schools are partnering to attract more young people to the trades to bolster the future construction workforce.

While virtually every industry is facing challenges in finding labor, the construction industry also must navigate through extensive regulation, high energy costs, increased material costs and looming tariffs on imports including steel and lumber.

The good news is that there is plenty of work in the near future that will keep construction companies busy and hiring.

According to the Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index, the backlog rose to 8.5 months in March.

However, over the past year, only the infrastructure category has experienced a meaningful increase in backlog.

Erich Klemme, construction manager of national construction engineering firm Swinerton in Fresno, said 25% of the construction workforce is 55 years and older.

“Retirements are outpacing replacement,” Klemme said. “It’s a statewide challenge to find labor. We work with unions to help us supply our workforce into the trade.”

He said companies and educational institutions must work together with urgency to fix the challenge of labor.

Klemme said high school programs can be the pipeline for the labor force, but only if the industry steps up.

“Students need real world work exposure, internships, job shadows and industry mentorships,” Klemme said. This turns curiosity into careers.”

Brian Hall, laboratory operations manager at Technicon Engineering Services of Fresno, said that networking goes a long way in the construction industry, especially for young people.

He said students without college or university plans can break into the industry early if they put their names out there.

Hall said they hire the gamut, from “green” workers to those already in the trades who aspire to become inspectors.

“It hasn’t been as easy to get people that are savvy when it comes to work experience,” Hall said. “We have to be a bit more picky with the people we are hiring. You have to have a means of seeing what’s out there, talking to applicants — and talking with them face to face.”

He said businesses have to adapt to the available labor supply and figure out the best way to attract younger workers.

Anthony Ayerza, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools executive director of ROP/CTE, said more companies are partnering with schools to make proactive connections with young people to stoke interest.

“They see construction workers, and see that they make a great wage, and see their growth in the industry. Businesses are talking to students, and they get excited to join the trades,” Ayerza said.

He said there is always going to be a challenge to find labor. Companies value workers who are drug free, punctual and have the skillsets, certifications, and experience to handle an entry level position and perform.

Ayerza said presenting young people and high school students the career opportunities available in the trades will better prepare the next generation to join the future construction workforce.

Sandy West, executive director of the Central California Builders Exchange, a construction job resource hub based in Fresno, said the Covid-19 pandemic was a major blow to labor in the industry, but it is recovering.

“Everyone is getting back on track,” West said. “The future is bright for construction and the industry.”