For many firms, future work force strategies may not be top-of-mind. After all, construction unemployment in May dragged along at 14.2%—almost double the national average—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, a recent survey on work force issues shows that more than 70% of general contractors expect work force shortages in design and construction by 2014. Nearly half (45%) expect shortages in the trades, with the top three being carpentry/millwork, electrical and concrete finishers/cement masons.
A firm's location and number of employees influence its executives' worries, says the study, conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction, which owns ENR. The largest percentage of executives concerned about work force shortages are based in the Northeast and the South, and more than 60% from the South think the shortage for general contractors will be serious. While the percentage of executives from small and large firms who expect shortages is consistent, 33% of respondents from firms of 500 or more employees are strongly convinced that a general contractor shortage is looming.