Construction
In the next 10 years, more than 15,000 new construction jobs are expected in our region. The demand for skilled tradespeople is rapidly increasing. At the same time, one-fifth of the region’s construction workforce is nearing retirement age. Contractors are having to look across the country to fill local positions.
The regional construction industry panel meets regularly to discuss these and other ongoing challenges and developed the 2021-2023 regional, industry-led construction workforce strategy. Creating a regional construction plan allows us to identify common industry workforce challenges, coalesce around shared goals and align the efforts of the public workforce system to make a greater overall impact on the sector.
Resources for Construction Companies
Read the 2022 Construction Labor Market Report – this 2022 report is a state of the construction workforce in the six-county Southwest Washington-Portland Metro Area.
- Read some of the report highlights in our blog
In 2015, we surveyed the building trades and the construction industry to learn about the industry’s specific workforce needs. Survey results and subsequent meetings with businesses, labor and industry organizations helped us identify workforce needs, develop strategies and align resources to enhance training opportunities for prospective employees and help businesses hire and train the workers they need. Our first regional workforce plan was launched in 2017.
Construction Workforce Plan
Construction Workforce Plan 2021-2023 –The plan identifies and addresses construction industry workforce challenges.
Construction Workforce Plan 2021-2023 – Full Version
Under the guidance of local construction companies, we developed a four-point plan to address construction’s workforce challenges.
The plan’s goals are to:
- Connect youth to jobs, training and apprenticeship opportunities in construction
- Advance equity and diversity in the construction industry
- Improve retention of existing apprentices and workers
- Connect “career changers” to jobs, training and career opportunities in construction
We meet quarterly with construction companies to gather information and present on strategies and achievement of plan goals.
To get involved in our construction panel or receive notices of construction meetings and/or the construction e-newsletter,
please contact Darcy Hoffman, Director of Business Services, at dhoffman@workforcesw.org or 360.567.3172.
