“Kids just don’t want to work nowadays” …...
It’s a common theme among many Construction business owners, superintendents, and project managers. I’ve heard it for years.
If you are shaking your head in agreement, then buckle up, because you might not like this post. If your eyes narrowed and your temperature rose, keep reading.
This picture was taken from the 2024 WNC Construction Job Fair, and this was a small portion. Over 1,000 high school students were in attendance during this two-day event, many of whom I got to speak to. Over the last two years, I’ve spoken with dozens upon dozens of High School, Trade School, and Community College Students and their teachers. What have I learned?
We as an industry have it wrong. The majority of these young men and women are ready and willing to get after it. They want to learn, they don’t want student debt, they want a company that cares about them and will help them create a future. Here is the kicker. Not once did I hear them ask “What’s your starting salary?” or “How much will I make this year”. What they did say is “I just like working with my hands”, “I want a place I can grow with”, “I want a good future”, and “I don’t want student debt”. And most of these “kids” are in High School!
Maybe we haven’t done enough to reach out to them. If you have been in a meeting lately and heard “We need people, but no one wants to work, " look no further. Will they need training? Yes. Is it our job as an industry to provide that training? Yes. Is there a future workforce? Yes. Will these young men and women immediately provide the same production, value, and skill as your Top Dawg Foreman? Probably not. But maybe it’s time to look at our people as investments rather than a cost.
It's time to let this next generation know they are needed, and valued, and a career in Construction or the Trades is ready to provide the opportunity.
#construction #skilledtrades #trades #PM #bluecollar #lead #leader #futurepro
We will share with our cohorts!