Articles Tagged with ''labor shortage''

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.