Participants in the first Construction Sector Council meeting of 2020 discussed how to focus council work this year to grow the Council’s employer base and target parents with positive industry messaging.

Both aspects of this work will be critical as UpSkill Houston accelerates its efforts to ensure the Houston region has the talent and workforce it needs for the future.

The Council currently represents a mix of industrial and commercial construction employers, educational systems, and community development organizations. Council members acknowledge that negative perceptions of construction careers persist despite high pay, stability, and the potential for growth.

Suggestions for increasing the number of employers on the Council included seeking subcontractor participants, including union representation, and identifying good exploratory questions to pinpoint an employer’s workforce needs. Participants also suggested that each meeting highlight the work of one employer partner and of an education or community partner.

Discussion of how to promote construction professions as careers with pride included placing top craft professionals on K-12 CTE and post-secondary advisory boards, including panels of industry professionals as part of job fairs and career expos, and encouraging more employers to participate in educational career events. Participants shared some upcoming opportunities, and this list may be seen here.

Other suggestions for consideration included:

• Encourage more partnerships between CTE programs, community colleges, and employers for work-based learning programs;
• Enable CTE students to visit – or even work on – live job sites;
• Identify state funding opportunities to accelerate workforce development;
• Encourage parents to talk with children about how construction careers can support retirement and financial plans; and,
• Explore how technology can inform people of construction and capital projects happening in the region.

Council leadership will consider these ideas while prioritizing work for the coming year.