Rebuilding America's pool of construction workers

When the 2008 recession hit homeowners - and homebuilders - hard, more than 1.5 million residential construction workers left the industry. Fewer than half of those jobs have since been recovered, and few young people are looking to careers in construction, plumbing, welding, and other skilled trades. Mark Strassmann looks at the shortage of skilled labor (desperately needed to build or repair housing in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria) and talks with "This Old House" veteran Norm Abram and Mike Rowe, former host of the series "Dirty Jobs," about reconstituting America's blue-collar work ethic.
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[@leethefixitman7530]

Thats right, "When the 2008 recession hit homeowners - and homebuilders - hard, more than 1.5 million residential construction workers left the industry." And they learned a hard lesson. I was there for that and I saw the next generation of builders get the short end of the stick. I tried to tell them to save some money and not spend but on the other side you had corporate saying "it's a new economy" passing out the cool aide for these young men and women to drink. It was very sad to see... I don't blame them, you will never see most of them return to this industry.

[@tubekxb]

A very informative report. But, the shortage of skilled laborers did not just happen because parents kept encouraging their kids to go to college or stereotypes on TV. Companies were doing whatever they could to undercut the price of labor. First, moving to "right to work" states, then moving overseas, importing illegal labor to undercut wages, increasing automation, and diminishing benefits. You cannot fault a young man or woman looking at that setup and think the odds are against them in that field. Unions made big mistakes too. They resisted efforts to adopt efficient work habits and technologies. In the 60s and 70s, many were hostile to allowing blacks and other minorities to join their unions. As manufacturing became a smaller % of the economy, unions did not adopt to service sector quickly enough.

[@atombomb232610]

Maybe if companies did not try to cut cost so much and short change workers for honest hard work you would have more skilled workers who stay in the field.

[@Simplyyourdevice]

atombomb232610 sir, you speak the truth 👍

[@alexvidu4517]

This was great, I been tryin to find out about "recession small business" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Teysaiah Recession Stopper - (just google it ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my mate got great success with it.

[@arturochacon8848]

+abc def rebuilding after the hurricane pay for work goes up. I have done that when hurricane Katrina messed up new Orleans and Wilma in key West. But there are also companies that rip people off.

[@DkaeRisk]

Why don't you rich people work construction ????? Why don't you reporters work construction and you bankers you talk about them not making you rich really

[@breth8159]

Student loans aren't just an issue but the years lost of earning good pay !

[@ekop1778]

PEOPLE TODAY WANNA SIT ON A COMPUTER ALL DAY SOME DONT WANNA DO THIS ANYMORE THEY DONT WANNA GET HURT OR SUE PEOPLE

[@ekop1778]

PREFAB HOMES ARE KRAP-- ALL CHEAP MATERIAL I USED TO WORK IN CONSTRUCION- PAINTING ETC-- LEFT THE PROFESSION DUE TO LACK OF PEOPLE

[@TheChrismigz222]

If your a good worker you'll always have work

[@doubleoseven273]

Its because they dont pay worth crap and the hours are garbage. We use to have something called unions.

[@josephgaray6933]

Unions are useless.

[@DurzoBlunts]

You go Jodie!!!!!!

[@steelwheels327]

Pay enough & they will come !!

[@chicharro04]

Chuchu tv fanson

[@susiq4857]

I love a man who works with his hands.

[@oneoxdiesel38]

do you now?

[@ensignmjs7058]

Get a massage.

[@idocare1954]

I understand what you're saying but lol everybody works with their hands.

[@slofool]

why do a construction job when you can sit at a desk or sell stuff at some store for the same pay.....

[@slofool]

and Mexicans have been taking your jobs for years, maybe they should do it

[@404BOOMER]

Quit playing video games and having your head down looking at your phone. Quit complaining and go learn how to do something. Quit asking your parents for help. Quit asking the government for a living wage. If you can make something or fix something and you're good at it you will make money. The younger generation is being taught to ask for help from the government. Stop it already and get interested in something you can do to make a decent wage. And don't expect to start at the top. You work your way up.It's not that hard.

[@StevenKHarrison]

Pay a decent wage and you iwll find all the help you need. Most people will nod in agreement now. But when it comes to fixing their roof or their car, they almost always say, they can't afford to pay that much. Still nodding?

[@VF1Skullangel]

There's a shortage for a reason, most builders wanna start you out at 10-12 an hour, no benefits, plus youll have to provide tools and educational costs.

[@480pilot]

Without being to esoteric here, but people are losing the want to break a sweat. And with good reason. ( I will paraphrase Mike Rowe here) people love smooth roads, running water, a strong roof, and all of the electrical convenience. But the pay gap sends everyone somewhere else.

[@SuperMario97376]

Scott Lilley may I ask what do you mean by pay gap?

[@480pilot]

Mario Argüello Jr. I'm sorry I wasn't more definitive. I believe that possible candidates for these positions do not see any glamour in these positions, possibly since most people in general see no glamour and perceive the positions to be for those who will barely pass high school. Why Wages lag significantly compared to other employment? Now to be clear, I am referring to skilled labor. I am a master electrician, and It's become increasingly difficult to explain charges to a client which ultimately determines my salary. Trades people everywhere are hit by a combination of DIY, handymen, and employers who have forgotten that the median income is no longer 32k a year. And finally to reach any wage that breaks that mark, you could be working for a couple of years so people make professional decisions which ultimately leads to a higher salary but with a greater chance to remain unemployed It's all of this in total that creates the gap.

[@abcdef-kx2qt]

tell Mike Rowe to eat pooo !

[@rodneyharper2275]

Great job

[@LloydsofRochester]

Glad I found this here on youtube because I HATE THE CBS WEBSITE. I was watching the video and suddenly loud music from an ad I didn't click blasts out. I searched and tried to stop it, but it even when it was on pause it was still playing! OMG! The main video wouldn't play AT ALL on Firefox, probably because I can shut off things that do that to me. ONE MORE REASON why traditional TV is losing market share and relevancy.

[@jasjfl]

It's good to see a segment that shines a positive light on construction and maintenance workers, but I'm not totally on board with the message here. Tech and IT workers get stereotyped as dorks who have no common sense and couldn't change a tire to save their life. This stuff cuts both ways. It's the same way with the "coastal elites vs. middle America" arguments that come up all of the time. Proponents for "middle America" will claim liberals on the coasts are elitist and smug, but will go on to say that they have superior moral values and (with no sense of irony) claim they're better at being humble. Again, it cuts both ways.

[@shazam6690]

We are better.

[@norsemoen]

But there is no shortage of Tech and IT workers. They are filling the positions. There IS a stereotype working against the trade industry that has hurt its workforce. You are attempting to conflate something that is not there. Plus, IT and Tech people do have a difficult time changing their tire, so...

[@DurzoBlunts]

Peter Moen yet it is IT and tech people that are the modern day machinists. AvE might say otherwise about nerds and IT not being able to change a tire. Once again stereotypes are thrown from glass houses. We also like to think that it is a singular issue causing a problem when it is something as large as this is is always multiple variables. Not just a stereotype of sweat labor=not enough pay or to hard for me.

[@abcdef-kx2qt]

pay more!!!! get more !!!

[@geraldojayster]

Thank you Mike Rowe! And good job to those young people working on careers that even girls can do! Awesome~!

[@abcdef-kx2qt]

Mike Rowe eat poo .

[@azra3234]

Bs. I used to work in construction was laid off and couldn't find another job y hire a American for 25 per hour when a illegals will work for 14per hour

[@shazam6690]

Suck it up and do the job for 14/hr and you wouldn't have to worry about the illegals. It may suck to take the hit but at least you would be working. You can still complain about the pay but at least you would be getting paid. I'm heading back into that field myself, if I can make 12-13/hr I'll be lucky but I need a paycheck. Complaining about it won't pay the bills or put food on the table.

[@azra3234]

I would rather work in a warehouse for 13 hour driving a forklift all day. Then break my back for 14 a hour

[@shazam6690]

Well if you have that option more power to you, all I'm saying if there is nothing else available as an option take the pay cut and suck it up for the time being.

[@NickSiekierski]

Go pound dirt. Deport the illegals and force employers to pay legal wages. 50 yo programmers should also "suck it up" when they're forced to train their Indian replacements? The answer isn't to be a better sheep, but to beat the wolves.

[@TheJoelef]

you sound like a democrat

[@ekop1778]

THIS OLD HOUSE AND HOMETIME HOMETIME IS OFF THE AIR NOW

[@yeahm21]

I am sure it has nothing to do with the low pay

[@j.w.5510]

4:04, this is coming from a unionized Laborer - If you're new to the industry or scared to get into it, it's hard work but that doesn't mean you don't pace yourself, take your time, take a step back and breathe and take a break if needed. You do work hard, but don't work yourself to death. I'm a hard worker but even hard workers need to slow down once in a while to catch a breath and there's nothing wrong with it. It's a great industry with great pay, literally the worst thing about it is the elements, other than that and once you get the swing of things, it's a cake walk.

[@abcdef-kx2qt]

lies.. too low pay !

[@susieenglish302]

Stay away from our polish builders - you can't beat them and the 🇬🇧 loves them

[@glizzygoblin-nl2uh]

Are u joking? Go to any small town look for a group of young guys in lifted trucks and tell them they dont know how to fix things

[@jws1948ja]

And what has happened since 2017

[@525Lines]

Create a new WPA for people. God knows we need it.

[@jewslikefunk]

I love America's DIY culture. It's sad to see it's following a path much of the world follows today - hire a professional to do your dirty laundry. A technical skill always pays off. I always wished there was a college, or an institute here I could go to learn a new skill. I got close when I was assisting my carpenter during the interior build for my new place, but it wasn't completely satisfying.

[@480pilot]

JewsLikeFunk first, love the screen name!!! I'm a service electrician. And someone will always need someone with a skill level/ experties to fix what they can't. The biggest problem is when your customer argues about the bill. Shalom!

[@danstheman613]

Why was Mike Rowe sweating so much???

[@taylorbrink9733]

Exactly because no one wants to pay correctly Your first day week month etc say a lot if it sucks why would you keep going to work to deal with hot heads losers and no information

[@stepanvinnikov6024]

Industrial electrican trust me it’s bad. There’s a lot of workers. None are skilled from childhood, construction is generational process. Grandpa dad son. That’s long gone. Some people never used a hammer in there life. Before joining a trade school union. Quality is a joke,

[@sandycharlton8669]

Low pay no retirement

[@johnmarstonlives]

It's because young people know that in 10-15 years all labor jobs will be done by robots

[@shazam6690]

Not all construction jobs can be or ever will be done by robots that's syfi BS. Kids are taught to work more with there heads instead of there hands.

[@mariemachelle]

Which is a good thing. If you want to be able to work until you're dead (we will have to with the retirement age being so high) you can't do back-breaking labor into your 70's. It is smart to go into a field that doesn't slowly destroy your body. I've watched it happen to men in my family including my father. Arthritis at 45 left him unable to perform his manual labor job.

[@shazam6690]

Look I don't disagree with you entirely, no you don't want to be working like that until you're an old cripple. The idea is to have this as a base to build yourself up to eventually have employees and others to do that type of harder labor for you as you get older and you pretty much supervise. If you choose to do a job yourself and do the labor it is a choice not mandatory. Anytime I had people work for me I always told them that I was showing them how to do this skilled labor so one day they could be there own boss. For a lot of people this is a very viable way to make a living. Is it hard? Yes. Not everyone can work in tech and even that comes with it's down sides like constantly sitting at a desk and having back pain, clotting of veins and pinched nerves. In any type of job people need to be understanding that they need to be careful and do what they need to minimize injury, get help if need, exercise if your constantly sitting and be self aware, if your taking on to much of a work load you may want a different approach to handle it so you don't bring on unwanted stress from your job no matter what it may be. :)

[@mariemachelle]

Sha Zam i truly mean no disrespect, but there is no way you believe 20 men working below you are all going to become owners/bosses one day. There isn't enough opportunity out there to make that possible or sustainable. Most of them will be stuck doing that labor for a long time. And comparing the risks or drawbacks of an office job to a manual labor job is absurd.

[@shazam6690]

Your absolutely right not all will become a boss and neither will the office worker become the boss in an office. All I'm saying is if there is something to use as a stepping stone to get where you need to be use it weather it be office work or manual labor. I know first hand how dangerous construction and oil field work is and not everyone is cut out to do those jobs nor do I believe that any of those jobs should be your end goal of a career. The thing is people still need to work and pay bills. Some of these manual labor jobs are easier to get into than office and tech jobs. If that's your only option at present I say take it and work towards getting where you want to be. I promise there are more jobs in skill trades than tech available to people looking for work. Also jobs in tech get eliminated quicker due to programs made to replace actual human works in the tech industry, more tech jobs get outsourced to other countries for cheaper labor cost. It's hard to say any jobs are an absolute sustainable work environment these days. I think the safest would be the medical field but not everyone is cut out for that type of work either. There is a high demand for truck drivers as well but that's another industry with a bad reputation of the type of people that work in it.

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

The tech industry hasn’t helped much either. It’s definitely something we need but not everyone can be a Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. That industry is going to tap out one day and then all thise degrees will be useless. People don’t want to get their hands dirty anymore.

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

@J D So true. I agree there are folks who truly cannot work and need the help. The problem with hands on jobs is that they may raise the hourly rate but they will start cutting positions because they can’t afford to pay what people need to live on. As soon as they do it the public will start doing things like cutting dinner or travel or getting their nails done because they won’t pay the increased prices or can’t afford it themselves. We are paying the big guy’s wayyy too much. Politicians and the like . Giving too many benefits. Our military are living like peasants. They assign on base housing to the higher ranks who can probably afford to live off base and they make a poor private/PFC/corporal who have kids live in trailers or dumpy apartments and then send the kid off to war to get shot at and won’t even give a half decent place to live.

[@johnclark2958]

yea atombomb232610 also reads good. i say these contractors r full of bull crap.

[@dasbear123]

First

[@ekop1778]

I USED TO DO CONSTRUCTION-- PAINTING-- NOT ANYMORE PEOPLE DONT WANNA DO THIS OR CANT HIRE ANYONE

[@TXMXIcanDUde]

im in the business, i have tried paying more but even that, the new generation is not reliable, they want to take days off without notice and call in a lot.

[@abcdef-kx2qt]

no way hire me !~