Where did all the construction workers Go? From April 2006 through January 2011, nearly  2.3 million construction jobs  were wiped out. The construction industry is bouncing back, but at the end of 2015, there were still over a  million fewer people employed  in the construction trade industry . And it isn't because the jobs aren't there.

A  nationwide contractor survey  shows that 69% of them are having difficulty finding workers to fill hourly craft positions, 38% are having difficulty hiring salaried field positions and 33% are even having difficulty hiring salaried office positions.

So where did the workers go? Some of the workers took jobs in another sector and are not returning to the construction trade. Others have just aged out of the business. The average age of workers in the construction industry is 42, that  exceeds the average age  of the overall labor force: the average age of construction building inspectors is 52, construction supervisors and managers average out at 47, and construction equipment operators have an average age of 46.

Construction worker shortages pose a threat not just to firms trying to hire new employees. The shortages have the potential to undermine wider economic growth. If construction firms can't fill key positions, they will be forced into slower schedules for projects, slowing the pace of economic development.

Where will the new blood come from? Who will fill these jobs and how? Millennials are the answer to the construction trades woes and they are beginning to find their way into the trades. Many millennials don't want to sit in a cubicle all day and they find work as a contractor satisfies their urge to be outdoors and challenges their creativity. 

"Millennials aren't here to take baby boomers' jobs. They're here to absorb knowledge, give them a chance and a challenge..." - Kevin Oberheim, a millennial construction manager.

There are opportunities for millennials and those a bit older in  Arizona . If you are interested in becoming a licensed contractor in Arizona, Arizona Contractor License Center can help. Please  contact us  we have all the tools you need to succeed. Not only do we help you pass the test to become a contractor, we can help you every step of the way when you set up your business. Together we can help bring the construction industry back to the glory days.