Build construction’s reputation

by Clair D. Urbain

Whenever I visit a jobsite, I am impressed with the smarts, talent and hard work it takes to build successfully in today’s construction market.

Margins tend to be laser-thin. The work is often risky. Steps in the job require incredible accuracy and attention to detail. In any case, the work must be completed right and on time.

Few people outside of construction fully understand the brain and muscle power that goes into any building project. Even fewer encourage their children to go into the construction field. That’s too bad for many parents and their children, because dismissing opportunities in construction may very well mean passing up job satisfaction.

I have a friend who graduated from college and got an entry level position in graphic arts. While talented, he struggled to stay focused on the job. Without enough physical activity to burn off energy, he was miserable.

Today, he’s left the sea of desks and works outdoors. He loves it. In many ways, I envy him; so do other friends who remain noosed by neckties and tied to cubicles by a mouse cord.

Many people go into construction work because they like working, not talking. Although supervisory positions on jobsites require good communication skills, people attracted to these jobs aren’t often accomplished self-promoters or the types who search out public speaking opportunities.

That may be one of the reasons that, as an industry, we are facing one of the most critical worker shortages ever. As our collective hair gets a little grayer and thinner and our retirement nest eggs get closer to hatching, young people eager to learn and work are not filling in the ranks as we leave.

We know what it’s like to work short-handed, and it’s not fun.

To that end, we must do a few things to make our jobs more appealing to those entering the workforce:

Talk up your profession. Whether you’re in company management or part of the labor pool, construction jobs can pay very well when compared with other options out there. Keep in mind how your construction skillset is often in demand by your friends when they need help with their deck or other home improvement project.

Promote your career to children and young adults. Talk up your job to youngsters. Make it bigger than life. After all, how many firemen talk about the endless hours of waiting around before they go to a rescue?

Represent your trade professionally. The stereotypical construction worker making cat calls at passing women does little to convince most women and many men from encouraging their sons and daughters to enter this potentially lucrative field.

Work with your union or construction association to build rapport with high schools and vo-tech schools. Those relationships can keep you in tune with what upcoming workers want for a job and life. It can also become a feeder team for your union or construction firm.

Go ahead, be proud of what you do, and let others know, too!

Published in the July/August 2005 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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