Did you know that the average age of American skilled workers is nearly 55 years old? As more trained, experienced and highly-skilled workers retire, the gap in the skilled labor pipeline will continue to grow. This expanding divide is already threatening dozens of trades, and the floorcovering and carpentry industries are no different.

The skilled labor shortage has a potentially devastating consequence for our economy as well. At the height of the recession, more than 30% of American manufacturers reported that they had jobs going unfilled because they could not find workers who have the right skills. 

This trend is once again rearing its ugly head, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that job openings in the United States topped 7 million for the first time ever in August 2018. Open positions outnumbered unemployed Americans by nearly 1 million units. 

This isn’t a uniquely American problem either. A record 47% of small Canadian businesses report that they are experiencing a shortage of skilled labor, according to a 2018 survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

The shortage of apprentices and skilled-trade workers has exposed the lack of training programs and opportunities for students who are seeking a vocational education. After decades of high schools closing down career and technical education programs, there is a disconnect between trades and students. 

Additionally, most American states and Canadian provinces lack any kind of centralized, easy-to-navigate system for actually breaking into the trades. This makes it difficult for young men and women to learn about apprenticeship opportunities unless they already have an existing connection within the industry.

So how exactly does the floorcovering industry, including INSTALL, contractors and construction companies, attract new blood in this complex and competitive environment? Reviving the skilled training pipeline isn’t going to be easy, but it is possible if we work together to implement promising new programs and initiatives.

Attracting Promising Students Through Career Connections 

One way the floorcovering industry is attacking the problem is through outreach and partnerships. “We’ve started to place added focus on open houses and opening up training classes to new audiences,” explained Doug Wilkinson, council representative and INSTALL director for the Central South Carpenters Regional Council.

Wilkinson and his team invite installers, contractors and manufacturers to observe courses and training exercises, which help build excitement around the program. The resulting word of mouth leads to even more interest among contractors and key players in the region who are not already affiliated with, or aware of, INSTALL. 

“We also have a program through the apprenticeship called Career Connections,” added Wilkinson. “This is just starting to be implemented in the Oklahoma area and we are seeing strong results from it.” 

The Career Connections program is designed to help high school teachers introduce students to a career in any of the carpentry crafts. Students learn basic and intermediate carpentry, advanced skills in commercial and residential construction, and the essentials of construction site safety. The program also includes training in employability that research shows employers value most, including goal setting, positive attitude, punctuality, teamwork, and taking initiative.

Program materials have been written by carpenters from around North America who have both teaching and field experience. Procedures for the projects are designed to be completed using typical school shop tools and have been built and tested in UBC training centers.

Teacher support is a major feature of the program. All books come with an annotated edition that provides teachers class notes, rubrics for each project, project evaluations, a tool safety operation checklist, a comprehensive skills matrix, and estimated timelines for teaching. 

Teachers and students can see projects built step-by-step using the program’s Virtual Shop software. In addition, trained and certified outreach specialists—all experienced carpenters—support teachers through mentoring while also ensuring safe shop practices. Tours of INSTALL training centers and professional speakers such as contractors or manufacturers are also made available.

Every graduate who completes the four-year program gains a jump-start into a career as a professional union carpenter. Certified graduates may receive advanced placement at UBC pre-apprenticeship and/or apprenticeship programs.

Unique Regional Challenges

While Career Connections continues its roll-out in Oklahoma and states like Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, other regions of the country are struggling with unique problems with equally unique opportunities. 

“There are two areas where we are working to address challenges in the New York City market,” explained Paul Capurso, lead regional manager of the New York City District Council of Carpenters. “One is floorcovering and the other is general carpentry.” 

Capurso has found that there is no shortage of students who discovered that college wasn’t for them. Unions remain strong in this part of the country and word-of-mouth and family businesses have helped create generation after generation of floorcovering installers. However, while these young professionals and would-be apprentices are applying to programs within the Carpenters Union, they are not specifying floorcovering. 

“Obviously there is a major push for young people to enter the floorcovering trade but there has been a disconnect,” said Capurso. “While the industry is busy and people are employed – resulting in high labor participation – there will inevitably be a downturn. We find that people are looking for careers that are unaffected by these cyclical changes.” 

One way that Capurso and his team is tackling this is through long-term project labor agreements (PLAs). “We take great pride in finding 10-, 15- and even 20-year commitments for our contractors,” he explained. “One recently signed a job for 70 million square feet of flooring over multiple years, ensuring that his team will stay employed and look attractive to apprentices. This stability is the key to growth.” 

Additionally, many floorcovering contractors in the New York City metropolitan area are run by second or even third generation owners. This is helping to create passionate, competitive and highly-trusted brands. However, these companies are still challenged by low-cost, non-INSTALL independent shops. 

“Even though INSTALL Warranty Contractors have up to three generations of owners, their upfront costs can be higher than the competitors,” explained Capurso. “However, when you look at the total value of the service, including the industry exclusive warranty and expert installation from highly trained professionals, the investment is well worth it.”

Capurso recently developed a Market Recovery Addendum which sets new, competitive rates for different tiers of carpenters across the board (from foundation to interior system to flooring) that helps contractors be more competitive with costs. They are also working closely with developers to make sure they have the right contractors bidding for the right jobs.

All of this works to create a more stable and attractive working environment for apprentices, leading to happier employees, higher retention rates and stronger word of mouth. This helps to increase the profile of the floorcovering trade and boosts interest from students and professionals in other trades and industries.    

In addition, Capurso works in tandem with several vocational skills programs in the Bronx and Staten Island. “We can never have enough boots on the ground,” he said. “That’s why we are making headway with area schools, increasing marketing, honing the relationship with developers and highlighting specialized training, including concrete polishing, that helps us stay in the forefront of the market. Together we can make a positive impact.” 

“Our monthly recruitment sessions and open enrollment has also helped promote INSTALL and the floorcovering trade with students and young people,” explained Capurso. “The new generation is necessary in replacing a large wave of retirees in the New York City region.” 

A Silver Lining 

Despite continued challenges in the skilled labor market, there is a silver lining in recent news. Many floorcovering installers have pushed back plans for retirement as the economy continues to fire on all cylinders. They are able to find constant work, helping them boost their retirement portfolios and add some cash in their pockets before they say goodbye to the industry. 

These industry veterans have 30+ years of experience and are able to help train and educate the next generation of installers as they complete their apprenticeships or get their first jobs after graduation. 

This overlap is limited warns Capurso. “When there is a downturn, people leave in droves. As long as times are good we have a win-win situation, but the key is to stay ahead of the game and create a strong industry that is impervious to the biggest peaks and valleys.” 

To learn more about how INSTALL and leaders in the floorcovering community are helping to strengthen the industry and revive the skilled labor pipeline in North America, visit www.installfloors.org.