Construction Industry Analysis
The Statistics
The U.S. Construction Industry generated $3.9 trillion in construction- and construction-related business in 2003, the single largest broad industry group in the U.S. economy.
Although the industry is by nature cyclical, (due in large part to interest rates and the state of the general economy), it continues to employ vast numbers of people even in times of recession.
The American Community Survey (ACS) shows that there were 11,049,193 construction workers in the U.S. in 2007. The Survey estimates that construction workers accounted for 7.7 percent of the total civilian workforce aged 16 years or older, and they come from all over the world.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), identified “a shortage of skilled workers” as being “one of the most serious challenges” facing the homebuilding industry. The housing downturn that has recently ocurred has not changed the situation; a lack of skilled workers is still a serious problem to be overcome by the industry.
Although several very small sponsored programs have been established around the country, by their very nature, these programs exclude most Hispanics, Native Americans, the economically disadvantaged, and the youth.
Even though a worker may have high-level trade skills, without the industry specific vocabulary needed on the jobsite, it is unlikely he will be very effective. When the inevitalbe mistakes occur, the contractor usually absorbs the additional cost of the corrections. Naturally, this added expense has a serious impact on the contractor’s profitability for the project.
Those who work in construction say that they basically have no credibility with the contractor until they are able to provide proof of their skills. They must demonstrate these skills to their new employer once they have landed the job. However, the NAICP believes that these individuals can overcome such obstacles by obtaining one of the Institute's certificates in order to show that they possess the basic skills needed for their trade.
It is also important to remember that all persons need self-respect and the approval and confidence of their peers. The NAICP proposes to provide these less tangible qualities to those persons willing to acquire the necessary training through our courses and certification programs.