As Maine’s economy continues to improve, construction projects ranging from new single-family homes to large commercial and government buildings are underway in the state, but builders say they are having trouble finding enough workers to meet the demand.
Matthew Marks, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Maine, a trade organization representing many Maine construction companies, says some of his members are so busy they can’t handle all the work that’s coming their way.
“A local electrician is so busy he has actually taken the signs, the advertising off the sides of his van because the workload is so much right now,” he says. “So, it’s a good problem to have, but as we recover you see that perfect storm coming.”
The perfect storm includes the loss of skilled workers during the recession who moved to other states to make a living, combined with the aging of those workers that stayed in Maine.
“We have 800 more construction workers today than we did last year and the need will only grow,” Marks says. “We look at the statistics every year, and right now, 18 percent of construction workers are older than the age of 55. That’s a tremendous burden in our future.”
The aging workforce and lack of workers are affecting companies of all sizes.
“There’s a lot of small construction companies that are looking for people, there’s a lot of good jobs out there,” says Jeff Pierce, who runs a small home restoration company in Dresden that employs fewer than five workers. “As employers we need to find people who will show up.”
And large companies are also looking for help. Karl Ward, CEO of Brewer-based Nickerson & O’Day construction, says his firm needs workers of all types and will provide training for some of the jobs.
“I’m about 20 people short right now and I can’t find them,” he says. “The unemployment is now below four percent, we have had quite an economic renaissance in the last eight years, and skilled construction workers are pretty hard to find.”
Another company having trouble recruiting workers is Casco Bay Steel in South Portland, which fabricates steel structures such as bridge trusses. President Byron Tait says he has been competing for workers with companies in other states.
“You do what you got to do to get good help,” he says. “It’s a tight market right now but we are looking for, we could probably hire ten more people today if we could find qualified people.”
Tait says relative novices can be trained for the specific work done at his factory, although there are challenges too: Some need to learn responsible work habits, such as clocking in on time. And he says it can be a challenge to keep them from leaving for higher pay in other states.
Recruiting workers for now and the future is taking up a lot of Marks’ time. He has visited many high schools urging students to consider a career in construction.
“There are plenty of certificate programs — the welding certificate program, the heavy equipment operator,” he says. “In southern Maine, in particular, we are seeing that firms need equipment operators.”
Marks says average pay is around $45,000 a year for construction workers, with the more skilled positions like welders and heavy equipment operators making even more.