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Builders are now in demand but they're up against an unexpected obstacle: They can't find enough skilled workers to hire. (AP Photo/file)

Builders face lack of skilled workers as economy improves

February 12, 2013 @ 6:24 am (Updated: 10:07 am - 2/14/13 )

Builders are now in demand but they're up against an unexpected obstacle: They can't find enough skilled workers to hire.

Builders in the West and Southwest report many skilled workers left the field following the housing crash to find other jobs. Some of the workers who were immigrants returned back to their home countries and have not returned.

"You can't just snap a finger and bring all those people back," said Stephen Melman, director of economic services at National Association of Home Builders.

As home building rebounds, construction jobs are becoming increasingly difficult to fill. Fifty-one percent of members of the NAHB say they are worried about the supply of labor. In 2011, that measure was only 11 percent.

Construction job gains have been strong in recent months, accounting for 18 percent of the overall jobs created in the economy in January. But builders say the numbers would be much stronger if they could find more skilled workers to hire.

But with limited numbers, some builders say they are being forced to work with smaller crews, which may prolong projects. Also, some builders say they are unable to expand their business because of the difficulty in finding enough skilled workers to hire.

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Comments (19)


  • Add A Comment

  • messiah101 wrote...
    I'll tell ya how to bring them back
    February 12, 2013 7:38 am
    $$$$$,you need to pay to play.Offer some outstanding pay and benefits and the workers will beat a path to your door
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Swan wrote...
    Working with your hands is not a sin
    February 16, 2013 10:16 am
    Money counts and who in their right mind will do the work for a below living wage? If the pay goes up people will do the work. The schools don't help any by getting rid of the industrial arts classes that showed kids how to work with their hands.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    messiah101
    February 16, 2013 6:37 pm
    Awesome point. People with skills need to get paid for them. If you paid well you would have no trouble finding skilled workers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    Nice violation of FALL PROTECTION Laws
    February 16, 2013 8:20 pm
    on the Good brother in the photo

    like the article said

    hard to find anyone but a Rat Basterd

    that will work for $9 an hour and break every safety law WA State has

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    Well Drool,
    February 13, 2013 10:41 am
    even a broken clock is right twice a day and you are right on this subject.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Steinsbu wrote...
    workers
    February 14, 2013 9:23 am
    CALL THE UNION HALL FOR ALL THE TRADES
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    how is this even possible???
    February 15, 2013 5:19 am
    the guys i see building the cookie cutter homes are all Mexicans. The construction workers i see holding up slow signs are all overweight Caucasians who stand there smoking... (they probably get paid three times as much and get benefits for standing)Unskilled laborers? Definitely due to our failed education system and bad parenting...add mommy and daddy govt taking care of your breeding housing and food needs...why would you work when you could get paid for nothing? We have rights man...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    A ways back when I applied for a construction job, I didnt get it.
    February 16, 2013 6:43 pm
    BECAUSE I DID NOT SPEAK SPANISH! the illegals have taken most of those jobs and construction companies cater to them because they can pay them less. So later on when I was running a company of my own I looked for real Americans to do construction, did not find a contractor who had legal workers. finally gave up looking. Even the Unions have illegals in this state. Funny thing was, both republicans and democrat contractors had illegals on the job.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    Framers and Other Thoughts
    February 16, 2013 12:29 am
    My neighbor is a builder and he told me that many builders have hired Hispanics at prices from $8 to $10 an hour to frame homes. That is often times done with cash and no benefits. A lot of young men entering the work force are not going to do that work for that price. I also don't argue the point that we lack a work force of unskilled labor. In snohomish County, they have a training center called Sno Isles Skills Center. It teaches high school trades ranging from welding, drafting, carpenter skills, dental care, food service, auto mechanics, computers and other skills. MANY areas don't have such a service because of the cost to build such a facility. It has been said time and time again that we need to invest in education. This is a prime example of what needs to be done. We should create more of a European Model for our schools. A test is administered in the ninth grade. Students are then directed toward trade skills or the white collar jobs. The work force is changing more and more towards automation and we have to adapt. We have to change our education system, but it costs a lot of money. If we refuse to do so, it will cost us even more down the road.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    WSU
    February 16, 2013 3:49 am
    I totally agree with you! This s exactly where the Obama admin could/should "invest" more education dollars. You are on a roll....see, we're not so different after all.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    Maple
    February 16, 2013 4:07 am
    I think you and I could sit and have a beer and talk sometime. I don't agree with on a number of things, but there is common ground as well. I appreciate your apology from a few days ago. I was quite livid about what you said about my wife. You made the apology and owned up that it was a "cheap shot." Insulting family members is a clear lack of respect and decency. You were correct and the apology is accepted.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Thanks
    February 16, 2013 11:16 am
    I was out of line and you are right. Lets agree to disagree on some things. You have my word about family members being off limits. I will do my best to keep my end of the conversation civil. I'll chose my words more carefully. Cheers!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Drool wrote...
    I Know Several People...
    February 16, 2013 8:10 am
    That have gone through the Technical/Vocational system and have done quite well. The publicly technical colleges in Washington State have a good record of people being hired for good jobs. Some of the private (for profit) ones, not so much. They are more a vehicle for getting hold of government grants/loans and much less about employment.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TwoTrees wrote...
    Drool wrote: 'I Know Several People...That have gone through the Technical/Vocational system and have done quite well.'
    February 16, 2013 12:52 pm
    Agreed. My brother being one of them. I know for a fact he's earning way more annually with his welding certification than the 18th Century French art history Bachelor degree holder working at Starbucks down the street.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Fifty-one percent of members of the NAHB say they are worried about the supply of labor.
    February 16, 2013 12:55 pm
    $$$$$$$$ will supply your labor. I think you and I could sit and have a beer and talk sometime. Is that a date?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Barent wrote...
    Vocational Schools produce these skilled workers...
    February 16, 2013 10:58 pm
    The problem is finding students. I am an instructor at Green River Community College. I have employers asking me to recommend students for them to hire, but few to fill their $14/hr plus jobs. The problem is that the K-12 system is telling every student from grade school on (including my three young children) that they need to go to college to earn a good income. 1. Carpentry is a "Good Job" 2. You need to have some brains to do it. 3. You will be paying $100/ hour for your handyman because you can't fix your home. Time to give the workers in the trades some respect.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • observer59 wrote...
    Agreed
    February 19, 2013 8:35 am
    In the 80s many high schools had these types of classes. In Mason County the high school kids were building actual houses in the area. The classes went away. As a young man I worked in a building supply store and worked with contractors on the weekend learning skills. Today as a 53 year old I have a state job but bought a fixer upper and do all my electrical, plumbing and construction with some help now and then. I can't imagine having to pay for everything. I'd be broke. I've always felt high school should be a vocational training center where students are tested to see where they would do best and then spend 4 years learning it. If after that some go onto college that's fine, but the majority would probably be ready for work.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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