Your source for construction industry news in the Carolinas
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 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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded more than $240,000 in grants to five South Carolina organizations focused on building and enhancing strategic engineering initiatives that will help grow the energy industry’s workforce of tomorrow. “We have a long history of targeting investments to have the greatest impact for our communities,” said Mike Callahan, South Carolina state president for Duke Energy. “This year…
Local economic developers and civic leaders from counties across North Carolina will gather Oct. 8-9 in Sanford to discuss strategies to retain, attract and develop workforce in the state’s rural communities. “Companies considering North Carolina consistently say talent is their No. 1 concern when deciding where to locate or grow, or sometimes even remain,” said…
Firms Are Boosting Pay and Benefits, Adding New Training Programs and Adopting New Technologies to Cope, but Labor Shortages Threaten Broader Economic Growth as Officials Outline Federal Measures to Help Eighty percent of construction firms report they are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce, according…
