Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) member contractors invested $1.6 billion to provide more than 1.3 million course attendees with craft, leadership, and education in 2021, according to the organization’s 2022 Workforce Development Survey. The investment was an increase from the $1.3 billion spent in 2020. The Workforce Development Survey quantifies the scope of ABC members’ workforce development initiatives to advance their employees’ careers in commercial and industrial construction.
According to the survey, safety education accounted for 56% of total workforce investment, the largest share of spending. Investment in craft education increased to 34% in 2021 from 22% in 2020, responding to the need for an estimated 650,000 additional construction workers in 2022 to address the skilled labor shortage. General and construction management contractors increased their share of total workforce development to 65% in 2021 from 58% in 2020.
According to the ABC, every $1 billion in extra construction spending generates an average of at least 3,900 new jobs.
“ABC member contractors are building the people who build America by investing billions to cultivate their long-term skill sets, creating a brighter future for their workers and their families,” says ABC vice president of health, safety, environment, and workforce development Greg Sizemore. “ABC member contractors are investing in flexible, competency-based and market-driven education methodologies to build a construction workforce that is safe, skilled, and productive.”
The survey found ABC member contractors invested an average of 7.4% of payroll on workforce education. Women in management or supervisory roles increased to 19% in 2021 from 17% in 2020 and women in craft or trade roles increased from 14% to 15% in 2021.
The survey found ABC members educate almost four times as many trade or craft personnel than the next highest positions, field managers or superintendents.
Additionally, over 60% of respondents reported a “severe” or “very severe” labor shortage, citing an exodus of baby boomers as the top contributor to the issue.
