How to Encourage Hispanic Participation Amid the Construction Labor Shortage
Date Posted: March 30, 2017
Posted In: Workforce,
From ConstructionDIVE: Census Bureau numbers show that, in 2015, Hispanics edged out their white, non-Hispanic counterparts in New York City’s construction workforce and represented 37.75% of all workers, according to a recent New York City Building Congress report. The margin, only 0.01%, was very small, but it represents a departure from a time when white workers dominated the industry. In 2008, for example, white workers represented 43% of the city’s construction industry, while Hispanics were only 31%.
There were 10.3 million workers employed in the U.S. construction industry last year, and almost 3 million of those were Hispanic, a near 29% share for that demographic, according to 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics figures.
There are some, however, who say that these estimates are low and don’t reflect the reality of many job sites.
Anthony Sierra, president of commercial and residential construction company JP Sierra in Tampa, FL, said the projects he visits have closer to 70% to 80% Hispanics on the job.
BLS data is collected using sampling across the U.S., which could explain some of the difference. In addition, there are likely wide swings in the number of Hispanic workers between some areas of the country and states close to the border like Florida. Add to that the reluctance of many to divulge information around immigration status, and the potential grows even more for low figures of Hispanic representation in the industry.
What is certain, however, is that no matter how many Hispanic workers there are, their participation is critical in the all-hands-on-deck environment caused by the shortage of skilled construction workers.