The Phoenix area has not been untouched by the construction labor shortage as projects experience longer build times and increased prices, according to fox10phoenix.com.
A Finer Touch Construction, Scottsdale, Ariz., is experiencing the effects of the skilled worker labor shortage.
“One of the big issues we’re dealing with is a labor shortage,” says Brad Leavitt, president of A Finer Touch Construction. “Although we have a lot of projects and a big need in the industry, there’s not enough people to do it that are skilled and know the trade.”
Some estimates show the industry is about 350,000 workers short of pre-recession numbers, which affects various levels of a project.
“As far as building costs for our clients, the rates have increased because of supply and demand,” Leavitt says. “Hourly wages and the cost to finish a project have increased because of the labor shortage.”
The East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, Ariz., teaches various construction skills and is hoping its students can fill the void. Instructor Curtis Ruhl says area companies constantly are coming to the institute to find workers.
“They are all hurting so badly for help that they are more than willing to donate their time and material so they can come teach these students, so when they graduate and they’re 18, they’re already hired,” Ruhl says.
Student Rejan Diovari says people don’t realize the opportunities available in the industry and often gravitate toward office jobs.
“If you like building things with your hands and you’re more or less a handy person, get involved with it,” Diovari says. “There’s a whole lot of money to be made.”
