The Workforce Shortage Continues, and Opportunity Follows
Today’s job market is complex, but one thing is clear: construction is a standout career choice. The industry offers multiple careers of choice for job seekers who want high-demand, well-compensated and rewarding employment with opportunities to climb the career ladder.
The latest data from Associated Builders and Contractors show that a chronic workforce shortage persists in construction, meaning opportunities for job seekers are abundant, especially in the commercial and industrial segments. The industry needs to attract 349,000 new workers in 2026 to meet demand for construction services.
The industry needs to bring in fewer workers than in recent years due to modest construction spending growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027 and other macroeconomic dynamics like an aging workforce.
This dip in our industry’s worker shortage offers lawmakers and industry leaders three practical lessons that can create a brighter future for the people who want to build America.
First, deploying ABC’s all-of-the-above workforce development strategy to bring new workers into the industry and educate them through both industry-driven and government-registered apprenticeship programs is essential.
industry-leading workforce development
Workforce Development
Through nationally recognized training, hands-on education, and strong partnerships with employers, we provide career pathways that elevate individuals, strengthen companies, and support the long-term growth of the South Texas construction industry.
Education & Training That Powers South Texas Construction
ABC South Texas is helping meet the region’s growing demand for skilled craft professionals by delivering a comprehensive workforce development pipeline built for real jobsite needs. As contractors across South Texas continue to compete for qualified talent, ABC South Texas provides industry-recognized training pathways that help people enter the construction industry, advance their skills, and build long-term careers in the trades.
Through our Education & Training programs, ABC South Texas offers NCCER-certified apprenticeship training along with safety courses, leadership development, and task-specific training to strengthen jobsite performance and elevate workforce capability across the industry. These programs support individuals at every stage of their careers, from new entrants to experienced professionals seeking advancement.
ABC South Texas apprenticeship programs are approved by both the State of Texas and the U.S. Department of Labor, providing a trusted, structured pathway into high-demand careers. Apprentices train in five key trades—carpentry, sheet metal, electrical, pipefitting, and plumbing—while gaining paid, hands-on experience from day one through sponsor employers. Apprentices follow an “earn while you learn” model and complete up to 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training while building core competencies like jobsite safety, construction math, tools, and communication skills using curriculum aligned with national standards.
ABC South Texas has trained thousands of construction professionals across the trades through this model, strengthening the region’s workforce and helping member companies develop the reliable, motivated talent they need to deliver projects safely and efficiently.
Building Careers in Construction
Apprenticeship Training
Training as an apprentice with ABC South Texas opens the door to a proven, affordable, and highly respected career pathway. Our programs are fully approved by both the State of Texas and the U.S. Department of Labor, ensuring that every apprentice receives industry-recognized training backed by rigorous standards.
Two, upskilling workers on rapidly evolving technologies is vital.
Three, federal lawmakers should introduce a new market-based worker visa system for construction, which would strengthen border security, close loopholes to curb abuse of the asylum system and include a robust vetting process.
It’s a pivotal moment for an industry in need of skilled job seekers To shrink the shortage and introduce new talent to construction’s rewarding career paths, now is the time for action—not complacency. In this complex job market, construction is hiring.
