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Central Valley construction companies and local schools are partnering to attract more young people to the trades to bolster the future construction workforce.

While virtually every industry is facing challenges in finding labor, the construction industry also must navigate through extensive regulation, high energy costs, increased material costs and looming tariffs on imports including steel and lumber.

The good news is that there is plenty of work in the near future that will keep construction companies busy and hiring.

According to the Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index, the backlog rose to 8.5 months in March.

However, over the past year, only the infrastructure category has experienced a meaningful increase in backlog.

Erich Klemme, construction manager of national construction engineering firm �������� in Fresno, said 25% of the construction workforce is 55 years and older.

“Retirements are outpacing replacement,” Klemme said. “It’s a statewide challenge to find labor. We work with unions to help us supply our workforce into the trade.”

He said companies and educational institutions must work together with urgency to fix the challenge of labor.

Klemme said high school programs can be the pipeline for the labor force, but only if the industry steps up.

“Students need real world work exposure, internships, job shadows and industry mentorships,” Klemme said. This turns curiosity into careers.”