For decades, the worker salary in California’s construction industry has been trending downwards. In 1973, the hourly wage of a U.S. construction worker was $31.84, while in 2016, the wage is $25.97 (adjusted for inflation). Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and unionstats.com show the drop in construction worker pay as mirroring the reduction of worker …
Category: Construction
Attracting Women to Construction
The National Association of Women in Construction recorded in 2014, women accounted for only 8.9% of construction workers in the United States. This relatively untapped resource has interested construction companies who are desperate to make up for the labor shortage in the United States. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, there is a growing figure of …
Mandatory Drug Testing for All Construction Workers?
There has been a recently disturbing rise in construction site injuries and deaths. They rose 34% from 2014 to 2015 alone! According to the US Department of Labor the construction industry has the highest rate of drug users. A whopping 15.6% of construction workers are using drugs or alcohol. The New York Chapter of Associated …
Lessons Learned from Modular Builders
Modular and prefab homes are a lot more common now that their stigma is gone. Home builders have come to see the benefits. Modular building saves time and money, reduces mistakes and increases accuracy, and you can build the home the same time it is being prepped! Furthermore, it increases worker efficiency. Part of why …
The Canadian Softwood Lumber Tariffs’ Impact on Construction
The Softwood Lumber Agreement between the U.S. and Canada expired back in October 2015. For several months, there has been speculation as to what the Trump administration would do with its renewal. On April 24th, 2017 it was announced that a 20% import tax would be placed on Canadian softwood lumber. More than one-third of …
Double Check Your Resume!
We recently discussed those over used and cringe worthy words that people tend to use on their resume. Now, it’s time to check and double check your resume! There are some common mistakes everyone has made at least once on their resume. Recruiters go through possibly hundreds of resumes a week. When we see these …
Protecting Workers from Elements out of Your Control
There are many aspects of a job site that can be controlled. You can control what safety gear (PPE) workers wear, you can ensure all your workers complete safety training and know how to work safely before even setting foot on the site. However, there are some aspects and elements out of your control. That …
Colleges and Construction Companies Partnering for the Future of the Construction Industry
We recently told you about the skilled labor shortage the construction industry is facing. In just a few years, without any proactive change, the shortage will become significantly worse. This is why many construction companies are looking outside the current labor pool. Many companies are partnering with colleges to get students interested in a construction …
Blue-Collar Industries Facing Massive Skills Shortage
A significant labor shortage is on the way in more than just the trucking industry. Blue-collar industries such as manufacturing, trades, and construction will be soon facing the same problem. In the trucking industry, the lion share of the truckers are nearing retirement age with not enough new incoming drivers to replace them. The need …
Implementing Drones on Your Construction Site
Previously we have discussed the benefits of using drones on construction sites. In 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration made it a bit easier for the construction industry to use unmanned aerial vehicles for commercial use. Part 107 of the FAA rules sets clear guidelines for using drones for commercial construction purposes or otherwise. However, Part …