Q1 2024: Construction Labor updates
“Associated Builders & Contractors estimates that the U.S. construction industry needs to attract about a half million new workers in 2024 to balance supply and demand,” said Michael Bellaman, ABC president and CEO.
The need for construction entry point programs and apprenticeship programs remains high this quarter to recruit and hire enough people to meet the workforce demands. Assistance is also needed from the US government to reform the legal immigration system and offer access to new or expanded visa programs for immigrant workers. [3]
Prioritizing Safety & Mental Health
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Amidst the labor shortages and retirees within construction, there is new data that explains how the industry is also losing workers to drug overdoses. In fact, the industry has the highest number of overdoses overall compared to all other industries.
Construction is physical work and there are often injuries on the jobsite that lead to pain medication prescriptions that become addictive.
Health officials are giving presentations on job sites about overdose prevention and are stocking Narcan nasal spray on job site first aid kits. Unions are beginning to offer substance abuse and addiction counseling services and offering workers paid sick leave to fully recover their injuries before returning to work. [4]
[3] Walter, E. (2024, February 16). News releases: ABC: 2024 construction workforce shortage TOPS HALF A Million. ABC National. https://www.abc.org/News-Media/News-Releases/abc-2024-construction-workforce-shortage-tops-half-a-million
[4] Moreno, J. E. (2024, February 8). Construction industry grapples with its Top killer: Drug overdose. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/08/business/construction-drug-overdose-deaths.html