High school graduates used to make a beeline for the construction industry, but their numbers have shrunk since the Great Recession. Research shows that 19-to-24-year-olds made up 18% of the construction workforce in the early 2000s, but that number is just 13% today.
Now there’s a major push to educate high school grads in the construction trade. The state of Colorado is offering free introductory training for carpenters, helping launch them into careers where they can often earn more than college graduates without incurring a penny of student debt. Educators who run the free Colorado program note that students who rise through the ranks to become construction craftsmen can earn $80,000 or more after five years on the job.
Educating young workers is one way to reverse the employment slide in construction that began in 2008. According to Reuters, there are now 17% fewer workers in construction than at the market peak. Some states–including Arizona, California, Georgia, and Missouri–have experienced declines of 20% or more.
Once these young workers get basic training in home building, their careers can lose momentum if they don’t get an ongoing education about new technologies and products. And, like most millennials, they have a strong preference for visual, interactive education instead of learning by reading textbooks.
That’s why Denver-based Construction Instruction, which offers construction and building science training, education, and consulting, is rapidly gaining popularity, not just in Colorado but nationwide. The company has produced building science articles, home construction videos, and 3D animated videos that show users how to install building products, such as LP FlameBlock Fire-Rated OSB Sheathing. The animations are also available on smartphones by downloading the Construction Instruction app.
Demand for Construction Instruction training has grown so fast that the company will open a new facility in Phoenix this fall. There, students can attend multi-day courses on a variety of topics, including high-performance walls, remodeling for energy efficiency, and moisture management.
