The construction worker shortage is being taken seriously, and there is a real need for more individuals to train to operate heavy machinery and equipment and also perform the different tasks required in the construction industry.

Associated Builders and Contractors, the construction industry will need to add an additional 650,000 workers on top of its normal growth pace just to keep up with the demand during the year.

According to Census Bureau Job-to-Job flow data, an estimated 1.2 million construction workers left their jobs to go to work in other industries in 2022, but that was offset by 1.3 million workers who left other industries to work in construction.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that there has been an 8% decline in the number of construction workers ages 25 to 54 during the last decade. They also report the average retirement age of someone who works in construction is currently 61. More than 1 out of every 5 construction workers is age 55 or older, according to reports.

So, to sum it up, if you are looking for a career that offers stability and job security, training for a career in construction would be a smart move right now. Associated Training Services (ATS) offers a variety of training opportunities, and financial aid is available.

Offering everything from CDL training to rigging and signalperson and crane operator certifications, ATS can help you get your career on the right track.

National nonresidential construction spending increased by 1.9% during the month of April, according to a report published by the U.S. Census Bureau that was associated with an analysis conducted by the Associated Builders and Contractors. Non-residential spending totaled $1.05 trillion when seasonally adjusted.

Further data released estimated that construction job openings are expected to increase by at least 68,000 by the end of April. Data was based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Job Turnover Survey.

A job opening is any unfilled position that an employer is recruiting for. While job openings have increased this year, they are down by 35,000 openings for the same month last year. Looking toward the reset of the year, many experts expect the number of job openings to continue to climb because construction projects are still in demand, and with infrastructure projects slated throughout the country, there will be more openings for construction workers.

Nonresidential Projects

While residential construction is down, there is still a need for workers to handle nonresidential construction projects. The number of manufacturing construction jobs continue to increase as do the number of nonresidential projects as a whole. Infrastructure jobs also require a number of construction workers  to complete the job.

The number of construction starts for 2022 stayed strong at the end of the year, and the new year kicked off strong as well. December rebounded from November to show a 27 percent gain, which is the first monthly to year-end jump shown since 2017. The seasonally adjusted annual rate ended at $1.185 trillion.

Throughout 2022, the construction totals held 15 percent higher than they did during the previous year. While residential starts dropped by 3 percent for the year, non-residential projects saw a 38 percent increase over the previous year.

Manufacturing and infrastructure remain the strengths of the new starts in the construction industry, and as the economy softens and as interest rates continue to rise, manufacturing and infrastructure will remain the strengths and help keep construction booming. The demand for construction workers is expected to continue as well.

Heavy equipment operators, crane operators, and truck drivers are a necessity for these kinds of projects. If you are looking for a career opportunity, now is the ideal time to get the proper training so you can meet the criteria to join a construction crew. Offering job stability, good pay, and good benefits, construction jobs are a great opportunity for those who want a career that will help them attain their personal and career goals.

Not all infrastructure construction projects are the same. Here is a look at how there are many kinds of infrastructure projects and as the federal money becomes available for these projects, what you can expect to see in demand and what kind of jobs will become available.

• Bridges
• Roads
• Airports
• Mass Transit
• Water Supply Projects
• Power Plants and Power Generation
• Waste Management Facilities
• Hazardous Waste Facilities and Removal
• Telecommunications

Construction companies will need knowledgeable, trained workers who can operate heavy equipment, cranes, and hand tools. There will be a need for carpenters, steelworkers, roofers, electricians, painters, and plumbers.

We offer an extensive variety of training programs for those interested in a career in the construction industry. We offer CDL training, heavy equipment operator training, training for being a signalperson or rigger, crane operator training, and more. To learn more about the different educational programs we offer for construction workers, call us today. Financial assistance is available.

According to experts, infrastructure construction and engineering are booming. The Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) is providing $1 trillion-plus in revenue opportunities for engineering and contractors to take on infrastructure projects.

Experts anticipate infrastructure construction to surpass residential construction as the mainstream of revenue for construction companies with large public investments being made readily available. In the past, there has been an underfunding of infrastructure projects, so there is much catching up to do and this provides states, counties, and towns with the opportunity to develop their infrastructure in a way to benefit their communities and businesses.

The American Society of Civil Engineers has released statistics showing that there is a $2.59 trillion gap in investing in infrastructure during the last decade. That means the current state of infrastructure is lacking and the current funding gives government bodies the opportunity to correct problems and improve infrastructure systems.

Where to get training?

With the increase in infrastructure construction and the IIJA funds, there will be an increased need for qualified construction workers. That means that well-trained construction workers are definitely in demand. Workers who can operate different kinds of heavy equipment as well as those who can handle hand tools are a necessity.

If you have not undergone the proper training, you should consider enrolling in a school that offers extensive training in the construction trade. You need to be trained in all aspects of the trade, including safe operation and OSHA guidelines. Contact us for details about our different construction training programs.

There have been major changes in the hotel construction process. These changes are because of changing demands of both hotel owners and operators as well as hotel guests. Regardless of whether the construction project is a new construction, a gut renovation, or an expansion, these changes are here to stay. Here are a few of the current popular trends in hotel construction.

• The 2030 challenge – Which is the American Institute of Architects 2030 Challenge has the aim of limiting or minimizing damage caused when there is a construction project.
• Sustainability – Build sustainability, so it will last longer and minimize waste and use.
• Seco-Friendly – Share your sustainability story by constructing around eco-friendly experiences and environmental initiatives while using eco-friendly products when possible.
• Modular Developments – Modular developments are not as limited anymore, and now, they help push the boundaries further and are used in top-end developments.
• Planning For Longer Construction Times – Delays are happening. There are supply chain shortages and it is taking longer to get what you need to do the job, so figure in that extra time when giving an estimate for project completion.
• Use Local Sourcing – Try to get as many materials and things as you can locally, so you limit the travel time and limit the carbon footprint as well.
• Know Where Materials Come From – Know where the materials are coming from, so you can figure out how long it will take to get them. Also, know if they are in stock or on backorder.

These trends have become part of the norm in the construction industry. What was once predictable is no longer as predictable, and you never know what challenges may be thrown your way, so plan ahead.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, the construction industry had more than 375,000 job openings during July. A job opening is any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. According to the data, job openings in the construction industry increased by 22,000 during July and they are up 38,000 over the numbers for July 2021. That is a significant change in a year.

Also, during July, total construction starts rose 48 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.36 trillion, according to the Dodge Construction Network. The significant gain is because of the start of three large manufacturing plants and two LNG export facilities. But without those large projects, the total percentage of starts would have still increased by seven percent. Construction starts for nonresidential projects were up 79 percent in July, while nonbuilding starts jumped 120 percent.

This means that the demand for construction workers is not slowing down. If you are looking for a good career where there is job security, choosing a career in the construction industry may be the best move you could make in days of uncertainty. Many career fields see fluctuations or significant changes, but that is not the case with construction.

Associated Training Services offers a variety of programs that allows individuals to train for different roles in the construction industry. We also partner with companies to help them get trained employees to fill their job openings. Call us today to learn more about ATS and how we can help you.

The increasing interest rates will have an effect on all purchases. By increasing interest rates, the Fed hopes to slow consumer activity, which has grown faster than the supply chain. That means that prices will increase across the board. The general thinking is that the higher interest rates will make it more expensive to finance everything from credit cards to houses, and businesses.

The increase in home prices and the cost of building supplies, along with the higher interest rates, can increase a monthly mortgage payment by $200 to $300 per month. The demand for housing is much greater than the supply available. That means that there will be a continued need for construction in the housing market.

In some areas of the country, some homebuilders are lowering prices as interest rates increase. Mortgage rates are increasing, with the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage climbing to 5.5%, Freddie Mac reported. The housing industry has always been sensitive to interest rates, and when borrowing costs increase, demand usually goes down.

In this situation, there is already a shortage of homes, so there is not expected to a major reduction in residential construction projects. Because of this demand, construction companies are expected to continue hiring construction workers for their residential projects.

Associated Training Services (ATS) offers a variety of training programs, including programs beneficial to those in the construction industry, such as heavy equipment operator training and CDL training. To learn more about the training programs available at ATS, call (800) 383-7364.

Recent reports indicate that the construction industry is in dire need of skilled laborers. Here is a closer look at what makes skilled workers and the skills that are needed to be a skilled worker in the construction industry.

There are many must-have construction skills. To succeed you must have the following capabilities:

• Physical strength and stamina
• Manual dexterity and coordination
• Strong reading and math skills
• Building and mechanical knowledge
• Excellent vision and depth perception

If you are a skilled worker, you will have no trouble finding employment in the construction industry. With the proper training, you can gain the skills that the field demands, and you can also get the safety training needed to protect you – and others – while on the job.

By learning how to do your job safely and how to operate the tools of the trade, you are improving your job opportunities. Also, crane operators and other heavy equipment operators are in demand in the construction industry.

Associated Training Services (ATS) has been helping construction workers get the training they need to succeed since 1959. There are specialized training programs available as well as heavy equipment, crane, rigging/signalperson, tower crane, commercial truck driving, digger derrick, and directional drilling training programs available.

Call (800) 383-7364 to discuss your training needs and to learn more about the programs we have available. We are accredited, and financial aid is available.

No construction manager would even attempt to start building the upper floors of a building before its foundation was set. While you may have a lot of flexibility in terms of which areas of the job you want to tackle and when there are certain tasks that must be done before anything else can happen.

How To Improve Your Construction Site

Unfortunately, many job sites become bogged down in delays because the workflows haven’t been properly established and managed. In basic terms, workflow describes the sequence of activities that are needed to get the job done. Without the right processes in place, work can grind to a halt, as crews performing one task must wait for another team to finish a different task.

With that in mind, here are some tips you can use to improve the flow of activity on your site:

1. Use checklists: It sounds simple, but starting with a standardized list of the tasks you need to get done can make certain jobs — such as equipment maintenance and planning — much easier. A list ensures that nothing will be overlooked and there should be fewer surprises once you get started.

• Implement automation: Construction software can handle many of the most tedious and menial parts of the planning and scheduling process, often with greater accuracy than humans with pen and paper. These systems are even capable of generating flowcharts, so you can be certain you’ll have an optimized workflow for your team.

• Find a 3PL partner: Coordinating the delivery of equipment and materials to and from the site is one of the most important and challenging aspects of any project. Working with an experienced third-party logistics provider to handle these steps could not only reduce your workload, but also ensure that you’ll have experts on your side.

• Improve communications: Perhaps the simplest way to improve your workflow is to make sure the lines of communication stay open within your enterprise. In construction, one of the biggest obstacles to success is when teams don’t keep each other in the loop. Building a solid company culture that values teamwork and transparency could help prevent bottlenecks and redundancies from impacting your work in the field.

It takes more than a blueprint to ensure a successful build. Coordinating and streamlining all the activities on your Jobsite requires a bit of foresight and strong internal practices, but the rewards are often well worth the effort. Paying attention to your workflow and taking some steps to enhance it can make you a stronger organization and lead to better overall results.