Over the last few decades, the construction industry has struggled to recruit young people into the industry, particularly within skilled labor professions. One contributing factor is the lack of a comprehensive and measurable marketing plan to communicate the benefits and opportunities of working in the construction industry, while also dispelling commonly held construction occupation misconceptions. Recently, AGC began working with Quinn Thomas to develop a communications plan that will advance the industry’s efforts to recruit and retain the next generation of skilled workers.
To inform the communication plan, Quinn Thomas produced a study to understand the regional opportunities and challenges the construction industry faces in recruiting skilled workers. This study includes input from more than 125 construction companies and workforce partners from across Oregon and SW Washington. The six key findings from the study are:
- Skilled workers remain in demand
- Misconceptions plague the industry
- Inclusion is essential to long-term success
- For Gen Z, culture, not pay, is king
- Students more likely to consider construction
- It is difficult to access skilled trades
For a detail explanation of each key finding, view the report.
The next step is for Quinn Thomas to use these key findings as the foundation for the development of a broad marketing plan. This plan will then be implemented and sustained by AGC. At the September 16 Construction Workforce Coalition meeting (click here to register) Quinn Thomas will provide an overview of the final plan and solicit feedback from stakeholders. AGC endeavors to develop and implement a communications plan that could be leverage by a variety of workforce stakeholders from across the region, and therefore would appreciate your input in this process.
Workforce Development Findings: Understanding the Opportunities in Construction