The United States needs an estimated 7 million more housing units to accommodate everyone who needs shelter. To build all those homes, the U.S. will need more construction workers, experts say, and the industry will bring in about 500,000 workers nationwide to fill the gap. There will be a need. According to the builders and contractors involved, this shortage is due to retirement levels and fewer young skilled workers wanting to enter the industry. Contractors like Brad Avery are working on Rib Construction, but he says finding skilled workers is a challenge right now. “I think the biggest hurdle we have as contractors is the astigmatism of having to get a four-year degree to be successful in life. That was in the past. We need to spread awareness because there are so many opportunities to earn really good money on the job,” said Brad Avery. Avery is currently working with the Alabama Construction Industry and Crafts Training Board to provide $20,000 in grants to schools with programs that teach skills needed within the industry. His School of Talladega County Career Tech was one of the first schools to receive this grant. Career Tech Director Kim Knight says these funds will help move the program in the right direction. “This will help 110 students in the south end of Talladega County begin a very strong building program,” Kim Knight said. When you start a new building construction program, you don't have the funding until after the first year. They typically rely on federal dollars to survive. This new grant will help alleviate some of that stress. “We have a hard time getting funding in Talladega County. We have so many programs that it's very difficult to try to commit to one. $20,000 grant Through this, we will be able to provide PPE, hand tools, physical online materials, classroom books, and resources that our students really need,” said Kim Knight. This $20,000 grant is available to schools across Alabama. . Click here to apply.
The United States needs an estimated 7 million more housing units to accommodate everyone who needs shelter. To build all those homes, America will need more construction workers, experts say.
To close this gap, the industry will need to bring in around 500,000 workers nationwide.
According to the builders and contractors involved, this shortage is due to retirement levels and fewer young skilled workers wanting to enter the industry.
Contractors like Brad Avery are working on Rib Construction, but he says finding skilled workers is a challenge right now.
“I think the biggest hurdle we face as contractors is the astigmatism that you have to get a four-year degree to be successful in life. That was in the past. We need to spread awareness because there are a lot of opportunities to earn really good money,” said Brad Avery.
Avery is currently working with the Alabama Construction Industry and Trades Training Board to provide $20,000 in grants to schools with programs that teach skills needed within the industry.
Talladega County Career Tech School was one of the first schools to receive this grant. Career Tech Director Kim Knight says these funds will help move the program in the right direction.
“This will help our 110 students in the south end of Talladega County launch a very strong building program,” Kim Knight said.
Knight says when starting a new building construction program, there is no funding until after the first year. They typically rely on federal dollars to survive. This new grant will help alleviate some of that stress.
“We have a hard time raising money in Talladega County. We have so many programs that it's very difficult to try to commit to one. $20,000 grant Through this, we will be able to provide PPE, hand tools, physical online materials, classroom books, and the resources our students really need,” said Kim Knight.
This $20,000 grant will be provided to schools across Alabama. Click here to apply.
