Addressing Growing Demand for Skilled Construction Workers

The Bay Area continues to grow both economically and geographically. That growth puts big demands on the construction labor force. On Tuesday (May 7), the Bay Area Council’s Workforce of the Future Committee convened leadership from the construction industry and trades unions to examine key issues facing the construction workforce. Leaders in our Construction Occupational Council discussed opportunities to maintain growth in the workforce in order to meet continued demand for housing and infrastructure development throughout the region.

With Gov. Newsom’s release of the May Revise, $500 million dollars was refocused on removing barriers to building mixed-income housing—underscoring the need for construction labor throughout the state. As a wave of retirements approach the construction industry, it is important to develop a strong pipeline of young workers who will take on this change in senior level leadership. The Workforce of the Future Committee is working to support the development of talent through community colleges and community-based organizations in the region, seeking to expand the pipeline of diverse candidates pursuing both trades and project management positions. For more information on the Workforce of the Future Committee, please contact Senior Vice President Linda Bidrossian.