Industry Execs Convene in D.C. To Tackle 'People Gap' Crisis
Representatives of a cross-section of construction sectors all facing a common problem—current and looming work force gaps—met recently to come up with solutions to what many predict could be the industry’s most enduring crisis. Among the ideas: Bring back technical education in public schools, expand programs that offer college credit for craft training, find new roles for retiring professionals and remove disincentives to retraining workers laid off from other industries.
“Workers can lose income support if they go into a construction training program,” said Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. She was one of 15 “thought leaders” from sectors that included union and open shop labor, owners, engineers, contractors, construction managers, architects and academics who shared ideas at the ENR-sponsored forum, held Sept. 26-27 in Arlington, Va.