Stop the Presses

Encouraging the youth to consider careers in construction is a major emphasis of the salute

by Dianne Elizabeth

The theme for the 1998 Salute to Design & Construction celebration, which culminates this week, is "Building Futures: Work Force 2000."

Organizers of the week-long annual event designed to highlight the construction industry's contributions to the community and the economy chose this positioning statement carefully.

The theme accurately reflects the top concern of executives in any construction-related business in the Ozarks, as well as the nation.

According to Douglas Jackson, Springfield architect and Salute to Construction Council member, the skilled-labor deficit has reached critical stages in the architectural field.

The hottest topic of conversation at a recent national professional conference, Jackson said, was the various methods architectural firms are using to locate and recruit young architects. Many firms are using aggressive incentive programs in their attraction programs, he said, including marketing campaigns and generous moving allowances.

In fact, Jackson said, his firm, Butler Rosenbury & Partners Inc., has hired 15 new people this year so far and is still searching for additional qualified applicants.

"It's significant that people need us (the construction industry) to take care of their businesses. ... That's job security," Jackson said at the official kickoff of salute activities on Oct. 27.

And it's true, if you think about it. The business world needs good quality, well-designed, safe, convenient, comfortable and attractive buildings to house us as we work to serve our customers and make a living.

Right in line with the stupendous population growth in the United States since the 1950s is the correspondent growth in residential needs, and, in technology, business and industry, the need for more and more commercial buildings and complete renovations of existing facilities.

At the same time, the nation's construction work force has failed to keep pace. Children no longer follow their parents into skilled-trade apprenticeships. Making a living with your own hands is somehow accorded a lower status, and school counselors steer students into traditional college preparatory courses.

Also, young people move away from home to seek careers in cities far away. I believe that many of us fail to recognize the proliferation of well-paying jobs available locally in the construction field. Construction is the fourth largest contributing factor in the local economy, and a sector that will remain strong as long as the Springfield community continues its steady growth.

Throughout the Salute to Construction celebration week, teams of local architects, engineers, commercial and residential contractors, surveyors, interior designers and skilled tradespeople visited area secondary schools to speak to students who are undecided about their future careers.

Speakers focused on the opportunities available in the construction field.

The message at the heart of this soft-sell recruitment effort is this: There is a wide variety of construction-related careers available in the field and in traditional office settings.

Well-paying construction careers are open to both men and women who prepare themselves with specific education and training.

There are huge opportunities for personal development, advancement and entrepreneurial endeavor in the local construction field you don't have to move to Chicago to get ahead.

Yes, many construction-related careers require a college education. Yes, there are many construction careers which do not require a degree. However, specific technical training will be necessary.

Yes, there is job security Springfield is a growing, building place. Yes, there is a chance to own your own business if you plan to work hard, if you get the knowledge you need now.

All of the career speakers urged their listeners to stay in school. There is little, if any, room in the present-day construction industry for untrained labor.

The Salute to Design & Construction Council maintains a speakers bureau throughout the year.

For more information, contact Sheryl Letterman at Springfield Contractors Association, 882-7115.

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