B+A Core

R E T I R E M E N T A N D A n u m b e r o f o t h e r f a c t o r s h a v e contr ibuted to t he dim inishing sk i l led-trade work force, b u t m i s c o n c e p t i o n s a b o u t t h e i n d u s t r y m a y b e t h e most da mag ing. Common ly held notions that the skilled trades don't pay have contributed to a lack of interest in technica l school, a nd g uid- a nce counselors ra rely suggest this educationa l path, favoring four-yea r deg rees instead. Compounding the problem, few high schools continue to of fer shop cla sses, so teens a re less likely t o b e e x pose d t o wo odwork i n g , met a l fa br ic at ion a nd ot her trades, according to David Fa ntle, Executive Director of NA R I, Milwaukee Chapter. " Ma ny students, if ex posed to the trades, would f ind the path of a tech-school deg ree cou ld lead to a stable a nd wel l-pay ing ca reer," Fa ntle says. Restoring the Pipeline The industry needs to fill more than 2 million jobs during the course of the next decade, according to The Manufacturing Institute's 2015 Skills Gap Report. To accomplish that goal, inroads should be established on academic and professional levels to raise awareness of trade professions and attract new workers. Presenting at job fairs, preserving shop classes in high schools and highlighting technical schools as options for graduating seniors are potential solutions, experts say. Manufacturing industries can improve recruitment strategies, as well, optimizing internship or apprenticeship opportunities that train and prepare workers for the workforce. Many remodeling associations, including NARI and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), are building bridges in the community and actively strategizing with schools. Selling the Salaries Misconceptions about sa la ries ca n be addressed by ra ising awareness, suggests Suzanne Beall, Federal Legislative Director for NAHB. Wages for skilled-trade workers are more than sustainable and are above the median — for example, in 2014, the mean annual wage for carpenters was nearly $46,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Starting the Conversation Builders and architects can add their voices to the campaign. Fantle encourages builders to create opportunities in schools and at job fairs to talk about the advantages and availability of skilled-trade jobs. Beall suggests builders establish relationships and trust within the community and the trade industry. The Bottom Line The ava ilabilit y of skilled-trade workers a ffects homeowners looking to secure ta lent for projects, Fa ntle notes. Without the suppor t of more workers, remodeling work could involve higher costs a nd delayed schedules, which could lead to a precipitous decline in the industr y. ■ The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) recently projected 74 percent growth in remodeling projects. That trend is expected to continue, even as the population of skilled-trade workers is expected to decline. Forecast Shows Needs for Skilled Workers By Kaitlin Gunter "There is no denying that a workforce shortage in skilled trades exists today. Unless we are successful in fi lling the pipeline with these workers, that shortage will worsen." — DAVID FANTLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MILWAUKEE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE REMODELING INDUSTRY | Builder+Architect BUILDERARCHITECT.COM

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