A new survey released from DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and a leader in total jobsite solutions, finds that more than half of U.S. contractors (55 percent) believe a lack of skilled workers is a barrier to growing their current business.
That number rises to 69 percent among businesses with $10 million or more annual revenue and 64 percent among those with 20 years or more of experience. Looking to the future, 48 percent believe training the next generation of trades professionals is one of the most critical needs for the success of the construction industry in 2023.
“The DEWALT Powering the Future Survey sheds further light on the wide-reaching gap in skilled labor and its continued impact on the residential and commercial construction industries,” said Allison Nicolaidis, president of the power tools group at Stanley Black & Decker. “Add to that the overwhelming demand for trades expertise during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the [skilled-labor] gap is quickly becoming the most critical need that will dictate the future success of the field.”
“That’s why DEWALT is committed to putting a heavier spotlight on these challenges and taking a lead role in supporting our industrial and construction partners to overcome them,” she added. “DEWALT will further its commitment to closing the skills deficit with the launch of the DEWALT Trade Scholarship to support trades education programs for students across the country.”
Inflation, Insufficient Skilled Labor, Long Hours
Keeping up with inflation (57 percent), finding skilled workers or being understaffed (51 percent), and working long hours (37 percent) are the top three most significant challenges that U.S. contractors surveyed are currently facing. When it comes to the effects those challenges are having on the industry, an overwhelming majority of contractors — 93 percent — feel the lack of skilled workers has had at least a minor impact on their existing work.
Half of those contractors who have had their work impacted by the labor shortage (50 percent) cite the primary causes for the gap as a lack of awareness around career paths in construction, followed by outside influences (parents, media, etc.) that guide younger people away from pursuing a career in the industry (47 percent).
Another factor, according to the study, is an underestimation of how much money can be made in the industry (41 percent).
Mentorship Matters
A great deal of importance is placed on mentorship programs regardless of contractor level, tenure, or type, with 67 percent of all contractors labeling these programs as extremely important. Moreover, an additional 24 percent of contractors identified these programs as moderately important.
A clear majority of contractors with extensive experience (20+ years) or high business revenue ($10 million or more) find these programs to be extremely important at 71 percent and 78 percent, respectively, in providing the latest training to help young professionals prepare for onsite work.
In addition, more than half (53 percent) of contractors surveyed say mentorship increases excitement about construction as a career path.
Health and Wellbeing are Essential
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, contractors have experienced numerous changes in the industry. According to the survey, the biggest takeaway (39 percent) from the pandemic among contractors is the importance of employee mental health and wellbeing.
Most contractors (56 percent) have been working more hours since 2019, with mechanical (68 percent), plumbing (66 percent), and electrical (60 percent) contractors most likely to have seen an increase in labor hours since the pandemic began. Nearly 40 percent of all contractors surveyed say longer hours have made their jobs more difficult.
2023 Forecast
Approximately half of contractors (48 percent) identify training the next generation of workers as one of the most critical industry focus areas in 2023 and beyond. Seasoned contractors are particularly committed to training the next generation of workers, with 63 percent of those in the industry for 20 or more years indicating this is a paramount goal for the future.
According to the study, the second- and third-most critical elements for growth are contingency planning/risk management and resilient supply chain solutions, with both at 37 percent.
Also indicated as an important element of future success is the innovation of tools and equipment (33 percent). With tool advancements, 55 percent of contractors feel they have increased efficiency, half (51 percent) state they have increased user control, and over a third (36 percent) think it has improved the quality of work.
Empowering Careers in Construction and Trades
As part of its commitment to empower the next generation of workers, DEWALT has opened the DEWALT Trades Scholarship, which will award students with a $5,000 grant in pursuance of a skilled trade educational program for the 2023-2024 academic year. Eligible candidates include high school seniors, graduates, or current undergraduate students majoring in a degree/certificate program such as trade construction, motor/power specializations, mechanics, or technology.
To learn more about this opportunity and apply by February 8, visit https://scholarsapply.org.
The company is also continuing a multi-year commitment to skilling tradespeople through its Global Impact Challenge which provides grants to nonprofits supporting skilling programs for tradespeople, including vocation skills training and retraining. Learn more here.