Construction's Workforce Is Aging Out Faster Than You Think

The construction workforce shortage is accelerating. The industry is losing skilled workers faster than it can replace them.

The average craft professional is now 48 to 54 years old. For every five people leaving the trades, only one is coming in. Meanwhile, project demand keeps rising, especially with new data center and infrastructure construction.

Jennifer Wilkerson, VP of Innovation and Advancement at NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research), joins Ryan Ware on Activating Curiosity to break down what this talent gap means for construction and AEC leaders.

• The average craft professional is 48 to 54 years old
• Five people leave the trades for every one who enters
• Project demand is growing, not shrinking

The Shift: this isn't just a recruiting problem. It's a structural challenge that threatens the future of project delivery, and construction leaders have to build their way out of it by developing the next generation of skilled workers.

Watch the full episode: Why Construction Companies Need to Invest in Training