For every five skilled tradespeople retiring, only about two are entering the industry. That gap puts more than just project delivery at risk, it threatens the future of our industry.
The future of the construction industry will be defined by how well we prepare the next generation of skilled tradespeople. As construction demand grows nationwide, workforce challenges are increasing at the same time.
Addressing this challenge requires more than short-term solutions. Building a sustainable pipeline for the trades demands deliberate effort and early engagement.
One of the most important steps is reframing the perception of the trades. Construction careers have been misunderstood and undervalued, despite offering stability, strong earning potential and meaningful, purpose-driven work. Training and experience in the trades provide tangible skills that individuals own for life. Monetizing skills that are in high demand creates a perfect recipe for a thriving career.
Careers in the trades are built on craftsmanship, accountability and pride, skills that can’t be easily automated and will remain essential as technology evolves. The good news is the younger generations are already paying attention to this reality. According to the Annual Blue Collar Report, Jobber 2025, 77% of Gen Z say it is important to choose a career that is difficult to automate.
As artificial intelligence and automation reshape many professions, there is growing interest in careers that offer long-term security and hands-on skills. The trades meet that need, but only if we make those opportunities visible and accessible.
Whether you want to design a project as an engineer or bring it to life as an owner, every project depends on skilled tradesmen and women to make it happen.
Spend time with people in construction operations and you will hear a familiar story, many got their start hands-on in the trades. Learning a trade is a launchpad to many possibilities. As you master one trade, you learn about other trades and construction nuances, which allows you to own your own destiny. Whether you continue to hone your craft, try a different one, start a business, move into a construction management role, become a property developer, or pursue other opportunities, the foundation creates the flexibility to shape your own path.
There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all path to a career, and we’ve learned firsthand that exposure matters.
Visibility starts early. Career pathways are often influenced long before students enter the workforce, yet many young people graduate without being exposed to the trades as a viable option for their future. If we wait until someone has committed to a different path, we’ve missed our opportunity.
Building the pipeline means engaging students at the high school level, or earlier, and ensuring they understand the full range of career possibilities available to them. It’s about getting in front of students through career fairs, classroom outreach, partnering with schools and workforce programs, hosting jobsite tours, or bringing students into the field through internships. When students can see and experience the work for themselves, it becomes easier to picture a future in the trades.
Partnerships are critical to that effort. Schools, workforce organizations, and industry leaders all have a role to play, but exposure alone isn’t enough. Hands-on experiences are often the turning point.
When students can try the work, interact with tools or see a jobsite in action, it builds confidence and excitement. That first experience often answers the question: Is this something I can see myself doing?
Equally important to exposure is advocacy. We see our role as being a constant cheerleader for the trades. Whether it’s on the job site, in the office or out in the community, we take seriously the responsibility to speak up for these careers and the people who make them possible.
Across the country, states have implemented skilled trades workforce development programs similar to the program in Tennessee, Go Build Tennessee, which help educate young people on the value of learning a trade, dispel their misconceptions about the construction industry and inspire them to consider a career in the skilled trades.
Building the future workforce isn’t about a single program or initiative, it’s about consistency. As an industry, we need to be champions for the trades in our communities, schools and workplaces.
It is important to talk openly about the opportunities available, the reality of the work and the pride that comes from building something that lasts. When people see professionals who genuinely care about the work they do, the enthusiasm really builds.
There is confidence in the future of the trades because the work continues to speak for itself. Construction is demanding, and it isn’t for everyone, but for the right people, it offers challenge, purpose and a strong sense of accomplishment. Few careers allow you to see the direct impact of your work for decades after it’s complete.
The responsibility is clear. By investing early, educating and advocating consistently, we can build a pipeline that not only meets demand but strengthens the industry. The future of the trades depends on the actions we take today, and the people we bring along to help build what comes next.
Join me in surveying your circle, identify prospects who would thrive in the trades, and give them a peek behind the curtain, and even roll out the red carpet and help them get connected to take the first step of their career!
Nicholas Lawrence
Vice President