INTRODUCTION
The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are pleased to introduce their new initiative: “Build your future. Build Oregon. Opportunities in the Highway Construction Trades” (Build Oregon). The Build Oregon initiative is a statewide effort to recruit new workers and retain skilled workers in the construction trades, especially the highway construction trades.
Recent figures from the Oregon Employment Department predict significant growth in the construction industry in the next 10 years. Up to 15,000 new workers will be needed to fill construction jobs.
Build Oregon is an effort to fill these jobs. By enhancing recruitment and retention efforts, Build Oregon is directly enhancing career opportunities for Oregon residents and is proactively addressing a severe shortage of skilled workers. Build Oregon will bring a range of services to communities across the state to assist current and aspiring heavy highway construction workers that include cement mason workers, heavy equipment opeartors (and allied trades), iron workers, carpenters (and allied trades), and laborers.
- Support services for current apprentices: To provide critical support such as remedial training, basic skills training, and mentoring services to further develop apprentice skills and enhance career opportunities
- Career Counseling for aspiring apprentices: To assess and address skill level. Build a job readiness plan to create a personal portfolio for your career in the Heavy Highway Construction trades.
- Direct assistance to current apprentices: To help apprentices meet basic expenses during training, such as transportation, travel, child care, and work attire and tools expenses
The Build Oregon initiative will complement local efforts to recruit and retain Oregon’s skilled construction workforce. Special efforts are being made to generate interest in under-represented demographic groups, such as women and minorities, in these high-paying careers. We look forward to working with your community.
FUTURE PROJECTIONS
- Construction industry is projected to grow 10.2% from 2006 to 2016
- Construction Jobs with 15% (or greater) projected growth by 2016:
- Telecom equipment installers & repair (39.4%)
- Sales representatives (21.6%)
- Cost Estimators (19.5%)
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, Brazers (17.6%)
- Construction Managers (16.5%)
- Roofers (16.4%)
- Constructions Jobs with projected decline by 2016 as a result of technological improvement:
- General & Operations Managers (-0.8%)
- Payroll/Timekeeping Clerks (-0.1%)
- Inventory Recording/Scheduling/Dispatch/Distributing (-0.1%)
- Secretaries (-1.7%)
– Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via NAWIC Fact Sheet
- The construction industry’s urgent need for skilled workers creates opportunities for women to enter the field. – Women Can Build
- The construction industry alone anticipates a 2 million employee shortage by 2016 as five workers reach retirement age for every one (5:1) employee entering the industry. – Brad Kane, Hartford Business.com
WAGE AND BENEFITS:
- Construction careers offer women high wages and great benefits. The best thing about the wages for a woman in construction is that there is no glass ceiling. Every qualified journeyperson is paid the same. – Women Can Build
- A woman can expect to earn 20-30% more in a construction career than in a more traditional woman’s career. – Women Can Build
ARTICLES – Challenges Women Face and Success Stories on Women in Construction:
- Journal Article: Skilled Trades Are Tough To Crack; Women Fight to Gain Ground
