Minding The Gap

courtesy of previsorinsurance.com

Over the past decade, there has been a lot of discussion about the "skilled trades gap" in the construction industry, which refers to the shortage of skilled workers in various trades, such as electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and welders. This gap has been caused by a combination of factors, including an aging workforce, a decline in vocational training programs, and a lack of awareness about the potential rewards and opportunities available in the skilled trades.

In 2013, the skilled trades gap was a significant concern for the construction industry, as many older workers were beginning to retire and there were not enough younger workers to replace them. This led to a shortage of skilled workers in many trades, which in turn led to delays and increased costs on construction projects.

Over the past 10 years, however, there has been a lot of progress made in addressing the skilled trades gap. One of the key ways that the industry has tried to close the gap is by increasing awareness about the potential rewards and opportunities available in the skilled trades. This has included efforts to promote the skilled trades as a viable and rewarding career option, highlighting the high demand for skilled workers and the potential for good wages and benefits.

In addition to raising awareness about the skilled trades, the industry has also made efforts to improve the training and education available for those interested in pursuing a career in the trades. This has included the expansion of vocational training programs, as well as initiatives to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to help people get the training they need.

As a result of these efforts, the skilled trades gap has been gradually closing over the past decade. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the number of workers in the construction industry has been steadily increasing since 2013, and there has been a particularly strong increase in the number of workers in the skilled trades.

For example, the number of electricians in the construction industry has increased by over 20% since 2013, and the number of plumbers has increased by almost 15%. There has also been a significant increase in the number of HVAC technicians, welders, and other skilled trades workers.

Overall, the construction industry has made a lot of progress in closing the skilled trades gap over the past decade, but there is still more work to be done. While the industry has made significant strides there is still so much work to be done, and we can all jump in and help.

also discuss a few ideas k-12 educational institutions can do to help aid in creating curriculums in schools, and hiring teachers to help create more skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen. Where would funding and incentives need to come from, to get a lot of these institutions interested in creating such programs.

One of the key ways that k-12 educational institutions can help to address the skilled trades gap is by creating curriculums and hiring teachers that are focused on preparing students for careers in the trades. This could include offering vocational training programs, as well as integrating skills-based learning into traditional academic subjects.

There are a few different approaches that educational institutions can take to create curriculums and hire teachers for these types of programs. One option is to create standalone vocational training programs that are focused specifically on preparing students for careers in the skilled trades. These programs could be offered at the high school level and could include hands-on training and instruction in a variety of different trades, such as electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC repair.

Another option is to integrate skills-based learning into traditional academic subjects. This could involve incorporating elements of vocational training into subjects such as science, math, and technology, or offering elective courses that focus specifically on the skilled trades. This approach can help to expose students to the trades at an earlier age and can help to build their skills and knowledge over time.

To get educational institutions interested in creating curriculums and hiring teachers for these types of programs, it will likely be necessary to provide funding and incentives. This could include offering grants or other forms of financial assistance to schools that are willing to create and implement these programs. It could also involve offering incentives to teachers who are interested in working in these types of programs, such as tuition reimbursement or additional training opportunities.

Overall, there are many different ways that k-12 educational institutions can help to address the skilled trades gap and prepare the next generation of tradesmen and tradeswomen. By creating curriculums and hiring teachers who are focused on preparing students for careers in the trades, educational institutions can help to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of skilled workers