In September, Texas Construction Careers, a statewide coalition of AGC building chapters, launched www.texasconstructioncareers.com, the online human resources tool for the Texas construction industry. The site is designed to be the "go to" online destination for information about training, education, and job placement as well as career opportunities for students and military veterans. 

According to an industry survey, 79 percent of Texas firms were having a difficult time filling craft worker positions and 56 percent were having trouble filling professional spots.  Some commercial building contractors in Texas report turning down opportunities because they simply do not have the labor to build the project.

AGC of America published a workforce development plan in February 2014 that stated, "As demand continues to pick up around the country, the construction industry will face worker shortages with increasing frequency.  Decades of converging policy, educational, demographic and economic trends have combined to dismantle the once robust vocational education system that provided a steady supply of skilled construction workers."

"A career in construction gives you the opportunity to advance from entry level worker to business owner. Construction also allows workers to combine new, high-tech materials and methods with old-school artisan skills to build projects you can be proud of," explained Kenton Heinze, president, Braun & Butler Construction in Austin, Texas.

Mike Muñoz of B.E. Beecroft Co., Inc. in Corpus Christi, Texas added, "A career in construction has proven to be one of the most rewarding decisions that I have made. Every day presents new and unique challenges and makes coming to work more than just another day in the office. I take pride in the fact that I am part of the industry that is responsible for so much growth in my community."

Specifically, texasconstructioncareers.com lists all of the places where craft training is being provided in the state.  Before today, no such website existed!  Also for the first time, it provides companies a "just Texas, just construction job bank." 

For more information contact Doug McMurry at 349-4921 or 394-6001.