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It’s Construction Careers Month. As we face a massive skills shortage in industryit is more important now than ever to raise awareness for careers in construction.

Our younger generation does not see construction as a viable career option. Unfortunately, non-traditional career paths are not often presented to today’s high school graduates as a viable and profitable alternative to college. Lack of awareness and a plan to build a pipeline of workers continues to disrupt the industry.

I was one of those kids for whom the traditional route to an office job through an expensive four-year career wasn’t the right or possible option. I am so grateful for the training I received as a blacksmith that led to a long and rewarding career in construction and a comfortable life with a well-established rebar construction business.

In 1981, I was 15 years old when I went to help my uncle at his job for 10 days at G&H Steel Services Inc., a general contractor in Broomall, Pennsylvania. I loved it so much that when I returned home to Philadelphia, I dropped out of 10th grade and joined Iron Workers Local 405. I completed the apprenticeship program there while earning a living decent.

At the end of my training, a lucrative career awaited me, and I did it all without racking up college debt. I knew that the traditional four-year college path to a career that came with massive college debt wouldn’t be for me.

As a blacksmith, I have worked on projects to build many impressive structures, such as the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. After a while, I started my own rebar construction company, which blossomed into the business it is today. I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed possible thanks to my training as a blacksmith, which began with the Iron Workers Local 405 registered apprenticeship program.

Ripple effect

As a construction contractor with over 40 years of experience in the industry, I can attest to the fact that time is working against the industry and the growing demand for projects is dipping into a shrinking pool of skilled labor. It resulted in higher prices and longer construction schedules. Problems finding skilled labor affect the bottom line when companies can’t meet the growing demand for projects.

The ongoing labor shortage may have a ripple effect on the US economy, especially in today’s uncertain political climate. Funding from the bipartisan infrastructure bill alone will not fix our crumbling infrastructure.

Continued support from the new president and administration for our registered apprenticeship programs would be critical in continuing to close the skills gap and prepare our next generation to build our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

It’s time to stop telling our young people that their only path to success is a four-year college degree. The earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship model works. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t pursued my career in construction.

Apprenticeships are a proven route to a secure career: Nearly nine out of 10 apprentices are employed after completing the programs with an average starting salary of more than $50,000, according to the Department of Labor.

I have been fortunate to have a steady supply of skilled labor for my construction company due to my experience as an ironworker and my connection to Iron Workers Locals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware who have excellent apprenticeship programs registered and train the next generation of skilled. blacksmiths.

There is more than one path to success. We simply need to do better in promoting technical and trades training at the middle and high school levels to provide options so these young people can find and thrive in these well-paying and fulfilling careers in construction.