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They may start out by shadowing experienced workers, observing what those workers do and performing tasks under their guidance. High school classes that may be helpful include mathematics, such as algebra and geometry, and those that are part of career and technical education programs, such as construction technology or welding. Formal education is not typically required, but some employers may prefer to hire candidates https:\/\/www.riverstonenetworks.com\/why-not-learn-more-about-gear.html<\/a> who have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job, often under the guidance of experienced workers. In some parts of the country, construction laborers and helpers may work only during certain seasons.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n More specifically, since the start of the year, nearly all of my clients across a range of construction sectors including general contracting, concrete, drywall, steel, HVAC, and civil have been actively searching for top Estimators to join their teams. This is due not only to the high level of skill required to succeed, but also to the limited pool of qualified candidates who meet these highly specified standards. The number of private construction establishments reached approximately 954,000 in Q (preliminary), underscoring the industry\u2019s vast and fragmented structure.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of construction laborers and helpers with similar https:\/\/www.mlb4s.com\/squire-creates-operating-system-for-neighborhood-barbershops.html<\/a> occupations. Construction laborers and helpers perform tasks, such as using, supplying, or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites. The net monthly gain (hires minus separations) of approximately 27,000 workers is barely enough to maintain current staffing levels, let alone close the 439,000+ worker gap. \u201cThe Academy classes cater to different experience levels and different interests. The industry\u2019s demographics pose an additional challenge as nearly one-fifth of the construction workforce is over 55.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The 15% of ABC member contractors working on data centers reported average backlog of 10.6 months, compared to 8.3 months for the 85% not working on data centers. The gap between hiring intentions and hiring reality remains volatile. Both figures represent a shift from the prior year, when 69% planned increases and just 10% planned decreases. Spending is projected to reaccelerate in 2027, and the structural drivers of labor scarcity (retirements, immigration, low career interest) remain firmly in place. ABC\u2019s projected need for 349,000 new workers in 2026 is down from 439,000 in 2025 and over 500,000 in each of the two prior years, driven partly by modest spending growth forecasts.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The most striking signal in the AGC\/Sage 2026 Outlook is the emergence of economic slowdown or recession as the industry\u2019s top concern, cited by 62% of firms. The mood has shifted from the expansion-oriented optimism of recent years toward careful risk management, driven by a combination of macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical disruption, and persistent workforce constraints. And the firms that are winning that competition right now are the ones building data centers. The combined effect of these cost pressures, uneven demand, and rising economic uncertainty has reshaped how firms approach 2026. Census Bureau projections of significant declines in school-age population cohorts over the next decade continue to weigh on the education outlook.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n This report consolidates publicly available government data and industry research to provide a comprehensive view of the U.S. construction workforce. A recession could temporarily reduce worker demand, easing the shortage in the short term, but it would also slow apprenticeship investment, defer training programs, and drive experienced workers out of the industry permanently. With 62% of firms citing economic slowdown or recession as their top concern for 2026, up from fifth place in the prior year, the industry faces an unusual combination of structural labor scarcity and growing demand https:\/\/indaba.us\/2025\/03\/page\/5\/<\/a> uncertainty. The construction hiring rate fell to a record low of 3.3% in February 2026 before partially rebounding in March, even as 63% of firms plan to increase headcount and staffing expectations sit at their highest level since April 2022. The labor market dynamics documented throughout this report add urgency to that timeline.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Firms with strong safety cultures are better positioned to attract and retain workers, reduce workers\u2019 compensation costs, and avoid the project disruptions that follow serious incidents. For construction leaders, safety is not separate from workforce strategy, it is a core component of it. The connection between workforce planning and safety outcomes is direct and material. While the industry\u2019s total recordable injury rate (2.2 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2024) is actually lower than manufacturing\u2019s 2.7, the fatality picture tells a very different story. Construction remains one of the most physically dangerous sectors in the U.S. economy. The U.S.-Iran conflict, rising diesel and materials costs, and higher borrowing costs all contributed to a market in which both workers and employers pulled back simultaneously.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTop Construction Apprenticeship Occupations (FY<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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HBI Construction Labor Market Reports (Spring<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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