This inaugural nationwide program will recognize students at hundreds of SkillsUSA chapter high schools across the country for their dedication to pursue a career in residential wiring, building trades and renovations, HVAC or plumbing.
With recent statistics noting “air pockets” in the post-recession, stuttering economic recovery, new doubts are being cast on the future of America’s housing comeback. On a year-to-year basis, the expansion of additional residential construction seems to have plodded ahead at a low double-digit rate with expectations of a forthcoming pickup, even if that rate is modest by previous standards.
As America’s skilled workforce ages, along with the country’s infrastructure, too few skilled tradesmen are available to ensure that the nation’s home building, industrial construction and maintenance needs are met. To advocate for America’s tradesmen and to encourage men and women to consider careers in the skilled trades, IRWIN Tools is launching a multimillion dollar advertising and public relations campaign.
We’ve seen this collision before when two indicators of nonresidential construction activity are released virtually at the same time, with each moving in a different direction. The divergent reports support comments I’ve heard lately from contractors, wholesalers and manufacturers that the road to economic recovery remains a bumpy one.
Meanwhile, a lack of buildable lots and increased costs for materials and labor are also contributing to the problem.
March 27, 2013
Growing labor shortages in all facets of the residential construction sector are impeding the housing and economic recovery, according to a new survey conducted by the NAHB.