Shortage of Construction Workers in Florida Is Getting Worse

Recent report say the shortage of skilled workers may even get worse in the next few months.

In Florida, statistics have shown a total of 441,700 workforce. It grew by 28,600 last year. The National Center for Construction Education and Research reported that in order to keep up with the demand of experienced workers in the market, the state has to find ways to fill in the gap of workers which amounts to over half a million.

A poll conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America showed that construction companies are struggling to find qualified workers by about 70 percent. On the other hand, the percentage of companies that believes the labor market condition will become even worse this 2016 amounts to 69 percent.

A huge number of construction workers lost their jobs after the breakdown of the housing market in the latter part of 2000, The Real Deal reported. These workers did not return anymore to the building trade. Another factor that affects the shortage of workers is the retirement of baby boomers while the millennial generation shows only less interest in this kind of work.

Chief economist Ken Simonson of the Association General Contractors of America revealed that the industry is thoroughly looking for people to fill in the slots. But contractors revealed the job is quite tough. They admitted the difficulty lies in finding the right workforce that has the skills that are needed for the job. With that, they are forced to pull in other people with other expertise just to fill in the vacancies.

A report from the last year said that another reason for the shortage is that experienced workers leave the country and pursue a better life and career in states like Texas and North Dakota, according to Tampa Bay Times. Moreover, the younger generation do not seem to embrace this kind of job.