Cyndie Williams
PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES, February 28, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- While government talks progress over enlarging the visa programs for foreign construction workers, industry leaders and labor groups say the focus should be on the domestic workforce. And when it comes to the construction industry, investing in American labor is a smart move. This country has millions of skilled workers, and comprehensive training programs from coast to coast are molding the next generation of construction workers.
Cyndie Williams, executive director of the Carpenter Contractor Trust, highlighted the union workforce development initiatives. "The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and other labor organizations have dedicated significant resources to apprenticeship and training programs that prepare U.S. workers for careers in construction,” Williams said. “Fair wages, job training, and workplace safety are the issues that should be focused on to strengthen the industry."
Addressing Labor Market Challenges
Although certain reports indicate labor shortages, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that about 8 million people are working in construction, with thousands more participating in apprenticeship programs led by unions. These programs offer training and subsequent pathways to employment in construction for individuals who want reliable, good-paying careers that the industry can provide.
Instead of relying more on foreign labor, labor advocates urge us to focus on something else: They want us to try to enhance domestic workforce participation. This can be done by improving job quality, access to training, and safe working conditions.
Workplace Safety and Training Standards
Ensuring the safety of construction workers is a top priority in the sector. As reported by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the construction industry, when compared to other fields has a higher-than-average incidence of accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities.
A 2021 study by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, which inspected 37,000 OSHA inspections, found that union worksites report significantly fewer safety violations than nonunion sites. This underscores the value of structured training programs in promoting industrywide safety standards.
Protecting Worker Rights
Maintaining industry integrity demands that labor practices be fair. A 2024 Government Accountability Office report identifies challenges faced by temporary visa workers. They are: (1) Often have wage disputes; (2) They have limited legal protections. To ensure that opportunity is fairly distributed, the construction industry must expand access to legal protections and pay that precludes disputes.
Strengthening the Construction Industry Through Workforce Investment
American labor believes that by investing in American workers, we can meet our construction demands if we provide training for the jobs of today and tomorrow, paying workers fairly, and enhancing their working conditions.
Tom Peric
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