Qualified Remodeler helps independent remodeling firms to survive, become more professional and more profitable by providing must-have business information, namely best business practices, new product information and timely design ideas.
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he National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimates that approximate- ly 200,000 jobs remain unfilled in U.S. residential construction. More than 2 million workers exited the industry following the housing crash in 2007, according to the Joint Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University, and many of them have no in- tention of coming back despite construction activity reaching its highest point since 2006. A labor shortage has been particularly evi- dent among trade contractors such as carpen- ters, framers, masons, painters, electricians, plumbers and roofers. e majority of remod- elers rely on subcontractors to supply these workers, but more remodelers report project delays and reduced bandwidth to take on additional jobs as subcontractors struggle to find people who have the skills to perform the tasks required. Remodelers must collaborate with subcon- tractors as well as training and educational institutions to ensure more people pursue a career in the trades (See "Developing a New Workforce" in our January issue). ey should also become aware of programs that provide academic degrees in construction manage- ment, because their general contractors and project managers will only grow older and could retire from the business at any time. Many construction management pro- grams, however, focus entirely on the com- mercial and industrial sectors within the economy. Students learn the fundamentals of planning, designing and building a con- struction project while controlling its time, cost and quality, but they tend to apply those skills only to the development of large struc- tures such as offices, warehouses, shopping malls and power plants. e following list encompasses college and universities that offer two- and four-year degrees in construction management, along with opportunities to study in the residential sector. A point of contact for each program gives remodelers a direct connection to inquire about graduates coming out of the school when they need to replace a project manager or if they just want to add another general contractor to their staff. | Programs You Should Know Opportunities to study in the residential sector differentiate these two- and four-year degrees from other colleges and universities. By Kyle Clapham T Construction management students at the Pennsylvania College of Technology apply technical skills and knowledge in support of the planning, analyzing, and solving of construction problems. Photo: Pennsylvania College of Technology LABOR SHORTAGE: Construction Management 38 February 2017 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com