The building and construction workforce — and the American workforce as a whole — is on the verge of a major shift in demographics. Knowledgeable laborers with decades of experience under their belts are beginning to retire, and it begs the questions: How will we replace them? Are we prepared?
For specific skilled sectors of the industry, it’s even more pressing: technical expertise is necessary for a job well done, and when roughly a quarter of the experts take that knowledge with them as they retire, how do we replace it?
The fire sprinkler and contracting industry is one sector currently staring down the issue, and it was recently a hot topic of discussion at the 2015 American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) conference. Hiring new staff and quality workers in the fire sprinkler industry is a top priority — statistics show that 20% of the total skilled workforce will be retiring over the next five years, leaving a labor shortage of approximately 1.5 million workers. There’s more: According to a 2015 report from ManpowerGroup, skilled trade workers comprise the biggest talent shortage reported by global employers for the fourth consecutive year.
What’s immediately clear is that the fire sprinkler industry needs to take proactive measures in finding a solution. We need to recruit and retain the next generation of fire sprinkler contractors as the industry continues to grow in both size and prominence — and we need to act now.
Why the need?
Fire protection systems are a requirement in most public spaces in the U.S. From hotels to libraries, from healthcare facilities to restaurants, the fire protection system is a necessary safety component in our modern world. The installation of these systems requires the skills of a trained workforce.
But it’s not just public spaces any more. Apartments and condominiums have required sprinklers for years, and slowly but surely, states are adopting building codes that mandate the inclusion of fire sprinkler systems for newly constructed one- and two-family homes, including California, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Why? In 2009, the International Code Council adopted into its International Residential Code the required inclusion of fire sprinkler systems in newly constructed one- and two-family homes.
Local and state jurisdictions rely on the International Residential Code for guidance, and the fire sprinkler requirement clearly illustrates that newly constructed homes without sprinkler systems lack a crucial piece of fire protection.
And as the broader building and construction industry continues its recovery, the need for skilled contractors is present and growing; industry research company IBISWorld recently reported that between the continued economic recovery and evolving state legislation, the fire sprinkler industry is poised for continued growth over the next several years.
Fostering talent
Licensed and practiced fire sprinkler contractors need the skills and expertise to protect homes, families and the public. In the industry, we must be proactive in fostering those skills from the beginning.
How? First, we must remain focused on educating those just entering the workforce. The trades offer many rewarding and lucrative career options; educating students, teachers and parents about the possibilities is our responsibility.
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) does an outstanding job with this kind of outreach through the help of its wide-ranging partner network. It recently launched the “Build Your Future” initiative, which offers tools and resources to illuminate possible career paths in the building and construction industry for young adults.
But it takes more than a website, and trade professionals can take action in a few ways. One option is to get in touch with local high schools and technical schools to host job shadow days, allowing local students to shadow staff and experience hands-on exercises. Coordinating a field trip to a local construction site is another good way to allow young adults a glimpse of the on-site experience.
This sort of real-world learning is invaluable, and is one of the areas where building and construction professionals can have the greatest impact through outreach and enrichment opportunities. According to the Association for Career & Technical Education, 81 percent of high school dropouts report that “more real world learning” may have influenced them to stay in school. Providing this piece of education to today’s young adults is critical, and marks an area where we can have significant influence.
It’s also worth keeping in mind who we’re trying to reach. Millennials, loosely defined as those between 18 and 34 in 2015, will make up approximately 46 percent of the workforce by 2020. This means the next generation of fire sprinkler contractors will be Millennials, and engaging this unique generation on their own terms is important to retain and foster talent.
As discussed at the 2015 AFSA conference, employers have options when it comes to connecting with Millennials in the workplace. Regular performance reviews are helpful and encouraged — Millennials want open and honest feedback in order to improve. Mentorship programs and establishing long-term career goals are also beneficial to spur continued motivation, along with creative incentive programs. HR strategies like these can be valuable motivators for young people.
Our challenge
The next generation of fire sprinkler professionals is out there, deciding upon careers, seeking rewarding work. It’s our job to communicate the fulfilling nature of building and construction careers, including fire protection, as a rewarding profession.
Those of us currently in the building and construction industry know these things to be true, and it’s up to us to bring in and retain talent for the next 10, 20, 30 years. Whether you are a skilled contractor, an association member, or an executive, our industry needs your help to grow talent as we continue to build the future.
Mark Knurek is the marketing manager in the America’s for BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems of The Lubrizol Corporation.