Groundbreak Carolinas

GroundBreak Carolinas

Your source for construction industry news in the Carolinas

Seamon Whiteside

Workforce

Duke Energy Invests $500,000 in North Carolina Community Colleges to Strengthen Energy Workforce Pipeline

by Duke Energy on

Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $500,000 to community colleges across the state to help prepare the next generation of skilled energy and trade workers. Zoom in: North Carolina community colleges can apply for $25,000 grants to expand or strengthen programs that support critical energy and skilled trade careers, including lineworker training, electrical, mechanical and electronics engineering…

Construction Industry Must Attract 349,000 Workers in 2026 Despite Macroeconomic Headwinds

by Associated Builders and Contractors on

The construction industry needs to attract an estimated 349,000 net new workers in 2026 to meet demand for construction services, according to a proprietary model developed and released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. In 2027, the industry will need to bring in 456,000 new workers to meet demand as construction spending growth is poised…

Trade Schools are the Hottest High Schools

by Brian Gallagher on

For decades, we told students there was one “right” path to success. College first. Figure it out later. Massachusetts just blew that myth up in the best possible way. According to a recent WSJ article, The Hottest High Schools in Massachusetts are Trade Schools, trade schools across the state now have waiting lists in the thousands….

Careers in Construction Month: Building What Lasts Begins with Intent

by Brian Gallagher, PPC Partners on

Every October, our industry takes a moment to recognize Careers in Construction Month. It’s more than a celebration—it’s a mirror. Because for all the growth and innovation shaping our field, one truth has lingered for decades: we’ve failed to build a consistent, sustainable pipeline of people entering construction. We’ve seen this coming. Generations of skilled…

Construction Workforce Shortages Are Leading Cause Of Project Delays As Immigration Enforcement Affects Nearly 1/3 Of Firms

by Associated General Contractors on

Construction workforce shortages are the leading cause of project delays as new immigration enforcement efforts have impacted nearly one-third of construction firms, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and NCCER. Noting that 92 percent of contractors report they are having a hard time filling open positions, construction officials called…

Lowe’s Foundation Investment in Solving Skilled Trades Labor Shortage Grows to $43 Million

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

The Lowe’s Foundation today announced 12 new Gable Grants for community and technical colleges to help solve America’s critical skilled trades worker shortage. The funding expands the foundation’s nationwide network of Gable Grants recipients to 60 organizations, each delivering scalable pathways into high-demand trades careers. Through expanded training, grants to this cohort will help build the next…

A Record-High 89.7% of US Construction Workers Are Not Union Members

by Associated Builders and Contractors on

According to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2024 Union Members Summary released today, a record low 10.3% of the U.S. construction industry belongs to a union, a decrease from the prior historic low of 10.7% in 2023.  BLS reports that 7,978,000 construction industry workers were not members of a…

EDPNC Releases Report Documenting the State of the North Carolina Workforce

by EPDNC on

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) today released its latest report, North Carolina: Discover the #1 Workforce in the Country, outlining the status of North Carolina’s workforce, the state’s commitment to building and strengthening the talent pool and how North Carolina is preparing for future workforce needs. The report is sponsored by Graham Personnel Services,…

“All In North Carolina” Campaign launched to Recruit Businesses and Workforce to North Carolina

by EDPNC on

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) launched a national advertising campaign focused on increasing awareness and choice of North Carolina as a place where diverse businesses and workforce talent can thrive. Titled “All In North Carolina,” the campaign’s central message stresses the vast opportunity and diversity of place, people, businesses and industries North…

Making The Industry More Welcoming For Women Ironworkers

by Sela Chinn on

Right now, the steel and construction industries are in a labor shortage that hasn’t been seen in quite some time. Making this even more difficult is the fact that there is no shortage of projects to do. However, with steel structures getting more and more complex, there’s a need for more people to do the…