UL Construction Career Academy Prepares Students for Jobs in Construction

Los Angeles Urban League’s (Los Angeles, CA) Construction Career Academy (CCA) held its first class of the new year this past week with a full house of diverse men and women of all ages looking to get into a construction trade.  CCA and many other workforce development programs are trying to fill employment gaps as labor shortages continue to plague the construction industry.

According to a new report released by the Southern California Partnership for Jobs, the Los Angeles County construction sector is expected to add more jobs and higher salaries. The report forecasted a 6% growth in LA County adding about 9,500 jobs for 2020. In addition, average construction wages are projected to grow 0.7% to $68,024, annually.

With projects ranging from sports venues, housing, and hotels to transportation and infrastructure, there is a growing need for skilled construction workers in Los Angeles. However, contractors cannot find enough workers to meet the demand.

Several factors can be seen contributing to the labor shortage: During the recession, skilled workers had to find jobs outside the industry or left the workforce entirely; Baby Boomers are starting to retire in record numbers; Millennials are entering the market, but many lack experience or interest in a construction trade; and immigrants can fill the employment gaps, but there can be language and legal barriers in the hiring process.

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