ABC Carolinas Chapter emphasizes the need to fill skills gap during Careers in Construction month
October 12, 2018
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Carolinas Chapter released two proclamations on October 11, 2018 signed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and designating October 2018 as “Careers in Construction” month in the Carolinas.
Careers in Construction Month creates the perfect opportunity to highlight the many career paths the construction industry provides for people with a variety of experience, education and expertise. And especially given the estimated 100,000 open construction positions right now in the Carolinas, and another 400,000 throughout the rest of the United States, workforce development and filling the skills gap remains a key priority for ABC and its members.
In a recent op-ed in The Washington Times, Michael D. Bellaman, president and CEO of ABC, emphasized that while a college degree is not required to have a lifelong and successful construction career, the industry also offers many professional opportunities with competitive salaries for college-bound students. Construction management—an undergraduate field of study that comprises the planning, design, safety, quality control and execution of construction projects—boasts countless career prospects for students interested in math, physics, economics, business management, engineering and communication. The major provides excellent employment options for recent graduates, with colleges reporting sold-out job fairs and outstanding job-placement results. The median pay for construction managers—which comprise more than 400,000 of the nation’s 7.8 million industry workers—was $91,370 in 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In a recent member communication by Angela Latino, ABC Carolinas Chapter president and CEO, Latino stressed that the need for talent and a skilled workforce is immediate, especially as construction spending reaches record highs. ABC’s National Construction Backlog Indicator, which reflects projects under contract but yet to be executed, was at an all-time high of 9.9 months in the second quarter of 2018. “America needs the best and the brightest to build the places where we live, work and play, from airports and universities to skyscrapers and stadiums. By starting an educational program with the end in mind, students can help secure their future by choosing a path with ample job opportunity in today’s market and have a rewarding and fulfilling career in construction,” noted Latino.
Explore the full range of construction career options at CareersBuildingCommunities.org or connect with career resources at workforce.abc.org.
