Labor
The Lowe’s Foundation wants to train 1 million craft workers
The Lowe's Foundation announced a partnership with several U.S. companies to establish the Building Futures Skilled Trades Alliance, aiming to add one million skilled trades workers by 2035 through training, changing perceptions, and establishing evaluation systems. This initiative echoes the investment plans of Meta and Google this summer, jointly addressing the industry's labor shortage.
Data center employers face acute shortage of skilled workers, report finds
The latest report from Kelly Services Inc. shows that the data center industry is facing a severe shortage of skilled workers, especially in the construction, utilities, and telecommunications sectors. It is projected that by 2026, data center jobs will reach 650,000, a 30% increase from 2023, but 25% of employees are being poached by competitors. The report recommends that employers adopt skills-based hiring strategies and strengthen rapid upskilling programs.
‘It’s about taking care of people’: How top contractors staff data center jobs
The data center construction boom has brought contractors a flood of orders while intensifying labor shortages. At the "Courting Construction" webinar hosted by Construction Dive on August 26, executives from Turner Construction, Clayco, and DPR Construction shared their talent recruitment and retention strategies, including localized hiring, employee retraining, and enhanced benefits for mobile workers.
Construction job openings, hires up in July
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for July, both construction job openings and hires increased significantly, reaching 326,000 and 366,000 respectively, with month-over-month growth rates of 9.4% and 14.7%. Industry economists point out that robust demand from data center and power-related construction has driven improvements in the labor market, but future trends remain uncertain.
Generation Toolbelt: Gen Z builders know tech. They’re ready to teach — and learn
Gen Z employees in the construction industry, having grown up with digital devices, are adept at using technology. Through reverse mentoring, they are helping senior colleagues master field applications like Procore and Bluebeam, while also gaining valuable construction experience from their predecessors. This two-way learning model helps mitigate industry knowledge loss and promotes technology adoption.
‘There’s got to be a better way’: What Gen Z brings to construction
Gen Z professionals shared their views on construction at Construction Dive's online event: they see career advancement opportunities and professional fulfillment in the industry, while questioning traditional work models and emphasizing work-life balance. As senior leaders retire, construction faces a generational transition, making attracting and retaining young talent key.
McCarthy expands training initiatives with Arizona campus
McCarthy Building Cos. announced on August 12 the launch of the McCarthy Anchor Campus, a 12-acre site in Tempe, Arizona, for employee leadership and technical training. The campus, formerly a hotel and conference center, was purchased in January and is expected to undergo renovations lasting approximately 16 months, serving 8,000 employees nationwide.
Sociable: Meta partners with North America’s Building Trades Unions
Meta announced a new partnership with the North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) aimed at providing training support for skilled workers nationwide and developing registered apprenticeship programs related to data center construction. This move is Meta's latest effort to alleviate community concerns triggered by its large-scale data center projects in various locations. Previous surveys have shown declining public support for the pace of data center construction in the U.S., with over 300 localities having implemented bans or moratoriums.
‘Historic’ labor market shrinkage highlights need for AI: Economist
The U.S. civilian labor force participation rate for those aged 55 and over dropped to 36.9% last month from 38.1% in the same period last year. RSM US Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas stated that this 'historic' labor market contraction strengthens the business case for companies to adopt AI. He expects that as baby boomers retire and immigration policies tighten, the U.S. labor supply will continue to shrink, keeping demand for AI investment strong.
U.S. Senator Introduces Bill to Prevent Suicide Among Construction Workers and Study Industry's Mental Health Crisis
U.S. senators have introduced new legislation to address the high suicide rate in the construction industry through nationwide research. The bill would authorize the CDC to collect data, analyze risk factors at employment, organizational, and individual levels, and submit policy recommendations within three years. The industry has already launched multiple mental health initiatives on its own.