What is being done to address construction workforce challenges?

The Builders’ is committed to workforce development in our region and supports a variety of initiatives to help ensure a well-trained pipeline leading to fulfilling construction careers. For example, The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation awards 29 scholarships annually to full-time college students in the Midwest who are pursuing degrees in construction. Established in 1994, the foundation uses investment income from the scholarship endowment fund to create scholarships for outstanding individuals preparing for a career in construction within the region served by the association. Through members’ generous donations, the fund now exceeds $1,000,000. The foundation has helped many talented young people in their efforts to gain an education in construction-related fields. Many of them are now building a future in the construction industry. If you know a student who qualifies, direct them to the “Scholarships” page under the Workforce and Professional Development menu at www.buildersassociation.com to apply before the Nov. 1, 2022, deadline. You can also visit the same page to learn more about how you can contribute to the fund, including information about how your company can fund a named scholarship.

Meet the Expert

Miles Boyer is the Springfield Office Manager for The Builders' Association, which is a nonprofit commercial construction trade association serving hundreds of member companies that employ over 25,000 people in mid-America. Founded in 1887, The Builders’ Association has advanced the construction industry by delivering safety, craft and management training; employment, labor and government relations; and construction plans and technology tools.

Four service and training centers operate in Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield to serve both union and nonunion member companies and to aid collaboration by connecting passionate people and businesses, with a vision of improving lives through construction.

This is accomplished in several ways, including:

• 3,000+ safety trainees annually. 

• Community outreach. 

• 1,500+ apprentices in cosponsored programs. 

• Delivery of business education and professional development. 

• Negotiation of 27 collective bargaining agreements. 

• Coadministration and trustee-appointment authority for 28 fringe funds with over $3 billion in assets. 

• Government relations services at the local and state level, as well as federally through AGC Kansas City, a chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America and the association’s sister organization.