Masonry Magazine January 2001 Page. 15
Credit for Apprentice Training
Any shortage of skilled workers would affect government at all levels - federal, state, and local.
THE FACTS: BUILDING THE CASE FOR SWEA
America's skilled workforce is facing a crisis as large numbers of older skilled workers approach retirement age. Insufficient numbers of new apprentices are entering apprenticeships to meet the needs of an expanding economy.
Existing training programs provide quality training, but are failing to keep up with growing demand and increasing retirements of current skilled workers.
If current trends continue, the lack of skilled workers in many highly skilled trades will cause shortages, construction delays and cost increases. There will be reduced quality and safety on the jobsite. And there will be many other deleterious impacts throughout the U.S. economy.
The shortages are no more crucial than in the trade of masonry. Estimates vary, but one calculation indicated the national shortage of masons in 1995 was 6,300 to 13,000, and growing. The average age of current masons is rising rapidly. The average age of new apprentices is rising rapidly. Unusually large numbers of retirements are expected in the next ten years.
Many industries dependent on highly skilled workers are experiencing the same problem.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING IN THE SKILLED TRADES?
We begin with the demographics of our society. There is a decreasing pool of workers entering the workforce, and this trend will continue.
Social factors play a large role, too. There is great competition with high-tech industries. High schools promote college, not careers in trades. There is a change of attitudes toward the trades and manual labor. And there are long-term commitments required for apprenticeships.
In order to address this problem, businesses will need to attack it by getting directly involved in mason training, more than ever before.
Yet, most small businesses that might provide on-the-job or employer-supported apprenticeships are not doing so or cannot do so because of the huge costs, business disruption, time commitments and risks involved.
Long-term issues like training are not the focus of most small businesses. Small businesses must meet the current payroll and fix this week's problem to stay alive. Further, training diverts existing skilled workers from current projects. Recruitment and training of new apprentices is expensive and time-consuming. Trainees cannot become fully income-producing and work independently for years. And there are other risks. Trainees can take their new skills and leave immediately to work elsewhere.
Nonetheless, the problem is growing and will reach dangerous proportions unless the trends are reversed.
The solution is to enlist the vast army of small businesses in America who need these workers, have the facilities and the will to train new workers, and then provide a tax credit to make it financially feasible.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RISK
So, even if all of this is true, what is the rationale for the government to get involved?
The federal government has a strong and clear interest in ensuring a skilled workforce sufficient to meet the quantitative and qualitative needs of a growing economy.