Alabama’s construction industry is grappling with a workforce shortage, with projects delayed and a lack of workers due to increased immigration activity and raids. In June, 37 individuals were arrested while working on the new Gulf Shores High School in South Alabama during a Homeland Security task force operation. Authorities reported that more than 20 of those arrested had prior criminal histories, and at least four had final orders of deportation.Sixty-eight percent of construction projects statewide have been delayed over the past year. The labor shortage is partly due to an aging workforce nearing retirement, but the Associated General Contractors of America highlighted that the gap has widened as ICE raids at construction sites have become more frequent.Ken Simonson from the Associated General Contractors of America said, “It’s being made worse by these raids and rumors of raids that are keeping people from showing up at job sites or actually hauling them away in the middle of doing necessary construction.”To address the shortage, educational programs like the Riverchase Career Connection Center are preparing students for careers in construction before graduation. Mike Scarborough from Rabren General Contractors emphasized the importance of partnering with such facilities to bolster and develop the workforce.Boyd Worsham, CEO of the National Center for Construction Education and Research, said, “You take somebody who has interest, aptitude and skills in construction. You get them in a program like this, you develop those skills. Those skills lead to them having a great career. They improve the company they work for. They improve the overall construction industry. They improve the communities in which they live and work and ultimately society.”When students graduate from the Riverchase program, they’ll be certified in their trade, ready to enter the workforce. According to the National Center for Construction Education and Research, Alabama construction firms say 48% of applicants are not qualified to work in the industry, meaning this training will bridge the gap in the workforce.
Alabama’s construction industry is grappling with a workforce shortage, with projects delayed and a lack of workers due to increased immigration activity and raids.
In June, 37 individuals were arrested while working on the new Gulf Shores High School in South Alabama during a Homeland Security task force operation. Authorities reported that more than 20 of those arrested had prior criminal histories, and at least four had final orders of deportation.
Sixty-eight percent of construction projects statewide have been delayed over the past year. The labor shortage is partly due to an aging workforce nearing retirement, but the Associated General Contractors of America highlighted that the gap has widened as ICE raids at construction sites have become more frequent.
Ken Simonson from the Associated General Contractors of America said, “It’s being made worse by these raids and rumors of raids that are keeping people from showing up at job sites or actually hauling them away in the middle of doing necessary construction.”
To address the shortage, educational programs like the Riverchase Career Connection Center are preparing students for careers in construction before graduation. Mike Scarborough from Rabren General Contractors emphasized the importance of partnering with such facilities to bolster and develop the workforce.
Boyd Worsham, CEO of the National Center for Construction Education and Research, said, “You take somebody who has interest, aptitude and skills in construction. You get them in a program like this, you develop those skills. Those skills lead to them having a great career. They improve the company they work for. They improve the overall construction industry. They improve the communities in which they live and work and ultimately society.”
When students graduate from the Riverchase program, they’ll be certified in their trade, ready to enter the workforce. According to the National Center for Construction Education and Research, Alabama construction firms say 48% of applicants are not qualified to work in the industry, meaning this training will bridge the gap in the workforce.
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