Diversity, It's Happening

	Michelle Dreier

Submitted by Michelle Dreier, Director of Member Engagement & Government Affairs

On May 2, I cohosted a Construction Teacher Conference in conjunction with Project Build MN. We brought in Tim O’Neill from DEED to discuss labor statistics pertinent to teachers and career pathways. Some surprising statistics Tim brought to the group.

• In 2013 95.9% of our construction workforce identified as white. In 2023, 93% of our construction workforce identifies as white. This is a multi-trade statistic.
• 40% of kindergarteners identify as BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color). Of our current HS seniors, 37% identify as BIPOC.
• Our student numbers are trending downward with the current 12th graders being the largest class, and each younger class getting slightly smaller. There is nearly a 10% reduction in class size when you compare our current high school seniors to our current kindergarteners.

And not so surprising-

• Of the trades, Electrician is second in demand. Construction laborer is number one.
• In 2023 15.8% of our construction workforce is female, compared to 11% in 1993.

For 20 years every demographer presentation I have attended has said we need to look to hire from the BIPOC population. Many of you are too small to fall under affirmative action goals, but because of our changing demographics it will happen naturally. As we switch from a largely white workforce to one of integration, there may be some culture clashes. As an association, we haven’t built these resources out, but we can if you as a contractor are finding the need. Please let me know.

A new member from Marshall county recently reached out complaining they could not find diverse apprentices. I connected them to the workforce specialists in their area who confirmed that there is not a significant BIPOC population in their community. Even the gender division trended male in that particular county. There are still veterans and people with invisible disabilities if you need to meet affirmative action goals. I can help you find those connections regardless of what area of the state you reside.

In the months of March through May, career fairs peak especially those at high schools. As a reminder we have resources for you to present at a career fair including brochures that contain current wage data and career facts and pathways for those interested in becoming electricians. I found myself asking students if they were familiar with apprenticeship as an education model. Most aren’t. Gen Z is being considered the Tool Belt Generation as college costs become unaffordable in comparison to the career salaries they yield. We need to do a better job of informing our communities about apprenticeship as a model of education. Read our recent blog post regarding Gen Z choosing the trades.