When the pandemic hit in 2020, we couldn’t have expected how much life would change. This is especially true when it came to the workplace. Nearly three years later, we are continuing to see the United States enduring a labor shortfall. The lack of labor in the construction industry, in particular, has had many negative implications. Research indicates that the industry needs to attract approximately 650,000 additional workers to keep up the pace. But what are construction companies to do when people don’t want to contribute to necessary tasks? Learn how Georgetown builders are handling the labor shortage.
NARI’s Workforce Development
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) offers a way to connect homeowners with its professional members. Since its official establishment in 1982, it has grown into the ultimate source of industry intelligence. And now, NARI is actively working to combat the national unemployment rate.
The leaders behind the organization feel that the lack of skilled labor is negatively impacting business. After all, hiring skilled employees is not an easy feat. They are going about this issue by teaming up with the United States Department of Labor, Congress, and various other agencies. NARI is supporting training opportunities to open doors for greater skilled labor access, as well as efforts to integrate Career and Technical Education into high school curriculums. The emphasis is going toward young adults on a path to learn about trade.
Why is Workers' Compensation Necessary?
Everyone in the construction industry should understand the importance of workers’ compensation. This includes Georgetown builders. In the event of injury during employment, this type of insurance offers coverage that includes paying for medical bills and lost wages. The law in some states even requires companies to have workers’ comp, including New Jersey. Texas, however, does not require every employer to have it. Because the construction industry is such a risk-heavy sector, though, every construction business owner will benefit from providing this insurance.
Popular Construction Jobs
While the Georgetown builders at Bat City Builders focus on residential work, the construction industry is vast in terms of project types. There is also a lot that goes into construction beyond being a construction worker that does the physical work of clearing and digging. Here are six other possible careers you could go into.
Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels
Plumber
To become a plumber, you will attend a technical school and take courses on pipe system design. Afterward, you take on four to five years in an apprenticeship program. Their role is to install and repair plumbing systems. When it comes to residential areas, plumbers could look at the sinks in the kitchen, the shower in the master bath, or sewage lines. Master plumbers work on larger construction projects. They join forces with Georgetown builders to ensure that a new custom home is up to code.
Carpenter
One of the key roles of a carpenter is to read blueprints and building plans. From there, they should be able to pick out the appropriate materials and measure them correctly. If you become a carpenter, you may find a place in the construction industry with cabinet making. Cabinets are a critical feature of both the kitchen and bathrooms. Alternatively, you could take your skills as a craftsman and put them into building furniture, such as wardrobes and dressers.
Civil Engineer
There is a long list of duties when it comes to being a civil engineer. They are the overseers of public works, ranging from roads to buildings to bridges. If you are comfortable with budgeting requirements and evaluating the sustainability of projects, being a civil engineer could be a fitting career. Civil engineers are the ones who resolve issues during the design and development phase of a project. They often split their time between working in an office and being outdoors at construction sites.
Electrician
At this point in time, we cannot truly imagine what our lives would be like without electricity. We use it on a daily basis. Therefore, making sure that electrical systems work correctly in a building is critical. When working with a Georgetown builder, electricians must be able to install and maintain these systems. And, much like plumbers, electricians need to be mindful of industry codes. It is very important that they inspect electrical components for safety so that no one in the home gets hurt.
Photo by Emmanuel Ikwuegbu on Unsplash
Surveyor
Before construction begins, the job site needs to be visited by a surveyor. These are workers in the construction industry that put our three-dimensional world into the second dimension. That is to say, they are the ones who map out everything about a site. They will do any necessary inspections and measuring, recording the data along the way. Consider this career if you are a fan of math and using high-tech equipment.
Equipment Operator
The construction industry is made up of a lot of machinery. Cranes, for example, move and position large materials. As an equipment operator, you will be responsible for taking care of the machinery used during a project. This includes regular safety checks so that your team is constantly in accordance with regulations. Any faults with the equipment should be reported to the supervisor of the project.
Emphasis on Safety on Job Sites
Georgetown builders must prioritize construction site safety. This decreases the risk of injuries not just for workers, but also for the public. It also keeps the site itself protected. A good idea for any construction company is to use a camera security system. This way, project managers are able to monitor which workers are coming and going. Should something go wrong, they will be able to point to the approximate moment when it would have happened. At the same time, project managers should be having daily communication with subcontractors. Doing so keeps them in the know about the status of the project and what safety regulations are being followed.
Getting Involved in High School
It has been found that, by 2032, over half of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical workers will be gone. A lot of the vets will be retired, without young, new workers to replace them. These are some of the professions that quite literally make society run smoother. They are the right hands of Georgetown builders. And, without them, were a related problem to occur within your home, you may have to wait a very long time before someone arrives to help. This means now, more than ever, we need to be training the next generation to take over these roles. They need to know that there is work out there for them, and that there is a lot of growth that can come from these jobs.
Many high schools are now offering construction classes. In fact, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has developed programs of study specifically for architecture and construction. These lead high school students right into the path of certifications, licenses, and college degrees.