If you follow industry news for the construction and utility sectors, there’s one headline that has popped up frequently in recent years: construction companies need skilled workers…and they’re not finding them. But just how bad is the skilled labor gap? What are the causes and impacts this will have? And what does it mean for you when it comes to new opportunities in the job market? Let’s talk about it.

The State of the Skilled Labor Market

The U.S. has had a construction labor shortage of workers in construction, utility, and other trade industries for a while, primarily jumping up in the post-pandemic years like 2022 when, even as unemployment numbers dropped, the number of job openings was still very high. In January of 2025, the Associated Builders and Contractors used their proprietary model to make a jaw-dropping announcement.

The construction industry will need to attract approximately 439,000 net new workers this year in order to meet anticipated demand.

They expect that number to grow, too, estimating needing 499,000 new workers in 2026. And this is talking solely about net workers. The industry will also have a few hundred thousand job openings to fill with current workers moving and changing jobs in the industry. In Texas alone, the field of construction laborers is hungry for new skilled professionals, adding almost 20,000 jobs and growing at 15%, much faster than the average, through 2032.

The Cause and Impacts of the Talent Gap

There are a multitude of factors that have led to the construction labor shortage:

  • Age demographics – The U.S. population as a whole is getting older and retiring, and there are not enough younger people to make up the difference. In fact, the National Center for Construction Education and Research that around 41% of the current construction workforce is projected to retire by 2031.
  • Interest gaps – This one is a longer term reason, driven by the country’s shift from an industrialized economy to a service-based economy. This resulted in a drop in interest in skilled trades jobs among younger generations.
  • Sky-high – At the same time, there has been a push for more investment, in civic infrastructure, commercial development, residential development, and more. We’re seeing a major deficit in housing, with the National Association of Home Builders estimating the U.S. has a shortfall of 1.5 million homes.

What is the impact for this employment gap? Higher costs, longer timelines, restricted growth, career bleed – all impediments to overall progress. The raised project costs will put strain on construction firms who are already juggling tariffs. A smaller pool of workers will delay projects and cause all of them to take longer, with potential sacrifices to quality. And poorly built, more expensive construction projects are not a thing anyone wants.

What This Means for You and What You Can Do

The construction field is definitely facing a challenge, but the good news is you can be a part of the solution – and in a way that directly benefits you. Because for those who are looking for an in-demand, AI-proof career, this is the place to start.

The great migration over to traditional universities from the past few decades is losing steam as the cost of college continues to climb. Attending four years of a public, in-state university will take over $100,000, and it’s just not as lucrative of an investment for a lot of people.

Attending a technical school to learn a skilled trade, however – that is a lot more feasible by almost every metric. Hands-on programs can train you for skilled jobs in the construction field and get you out into the workforce in less time than you may think. Instead of racking up loan debt in the classroom, you could be already on the job site, earning a solid income.

For example, ASC Technical Institute offers training in construction careers, specifically our Heavy Equipment Operator programs, each of which can be completed in under 4 weeks from first course to graduation:

  • Heavy Equipment Operations Level One, which covers foundational operator techniques, maintenance, and safety
  • Heavy Equipment Operations Level Two, which includes all of Level One, plus additional instruction in civic blueprints, construction math, and equipment specializations
  • Heavy Equipment Secondary Specialization, which you can take after either Level One or Level Two and teaches you additional equipment specializations

With all of these, you’re done training in a month and qualified for heavy equipment operator jobs that earn a median annual wage of $58,320 (BLS).

This Is Your Chance, ASC Technical Institute Is the Way

The current state of the construction and skilled labor shortage could be a door for new, valuable career opportunities, and ASC Technical Institute can help you get started. Becoming a heavy equipment operator can open up new avenues to build a future in industries where wages are rising as employers try to stay competitive and make their jobs attractive to skilled professionals. We offer three different Heavy Equipment Operator programs to choose from, all of which prioritize hands-on training, and our accelerated program can get you ready to work in under 4 weeks.

If you are interested in learning more, ASC Technical Institute is here to help. Learn more about our Heavy Equipment Operator Program today to get started.