Construction Industry! This Is A Call To Action

The construction industry isn’t just about bricks and steel. It’s about people. And right now, we’re facing a crisis.

Skilled workers are leaving faster than we can replace them, and the next generation isn’t stepping up.

Why? Because the industry has a perception problem, a culture problem, and a leadership problem.

For too long, construction has been seen as a fallback career rather than a first-choice profession. Young people are told to "get a real job" rather than consider a future in the trades. But the reality is that construction is an industry filled with innovation, high-earning potential, and the opportunity to shape the world around us. We need to change the narrative and show the next generation why construction should be their career of choice.

Worksite bravado and burnout have pushed good people out of the industry instead of drawing new people in. Long hours, outdated leadership styles, and toxic work environments have made retention just as big of a challenge as recruitment.

If we want to attract and keep top talent, we must create workplaces that focus on respect, craftsmanship, and collaboration, not just higher wages.

Construction workers have some of the highest suicide rates of any profession. The industry’s culture of “toughness” has made it difficult for workers to seek help when they are struggling. If we don’t address mental health, we will continue to lose skilled workers, not just to burnout, but to tragedy. Businesses need to make mental health support as essential as safety gear.

So what do we need to be doing better? 👇🏻

1. Make construction a career of choice by changing how we market the industry to young people and highlighting the innovation, job security, and financial rewards it offers.
2. Fix workplace culture by moving away from outdated leadership models and creating environments where workers feel valued, respected, and supported.
3. Prioritize mental health by making real changes in how we support workers, from providing resources to fostering open conversations about well-being.

Construction is about more than just buildings. It is about building careers, communities, and a future we can be proud of. If we want this industry to thrive, we need to start making changes now. Who is ready to rebuild construction from the ground up?