October 9, 2020 – With over 15,000 job openings projected in the construction industry in 2021, the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) is thanking Governor Evers for proclaiming October as Careers in Construction Month.
In 2019, 125,033 individuals were employed throughout the state in construction and extraction occupations, with a projection of over 127,000 individuals working in the construction trades in 2021. The employment numbers provided by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development show a continuing shortfall of workers to fill much-needed construction jobs.
“When builders are unable to schedule trades on time because of the lack of qualified workers, it means that buyers are unable to move into their home on time. These delays and production logjams are hurting the housing recovery by increasing the cost of building homes and making housing more expensive for consumers,” said WBA President Jeff Dorner.
A home builder relies on several highly trained workers to complete a home including carpenters, architects, engineers, plumbers, electricians, painters, and landscapers. Analysis from the National Association of Home Builders shows that 70% of builders typically use somewhere between 11 and 30 subcontractors to build a single-family home.
On average, 22 different subcontractors are used to build a home, providing ample opportunity for motivated students to seek a rewarding career path with lucrative salaries. The average salary in construction is $50,000 per year while some professions in the industry make well over $80,000, with low or virtually no student debt.
“Homebuilding and construction is a pillar of the Wisconsin economy,” said WBA Executive Director Brad Boycks. “To continue to be a pillar, we need individuals to join the trades so homes can be affordable, and this proclamation helps to shine a light on an industry that desperately needs more workers.”
