CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- New hope if you'd like to know your kid can good-paying job in today's economy. Southwest Florida's rebounding construction industry is need of workers. And as Fox 4 found out from one of the area's top builders, the industry is so anxious to build up their work force they've got a message for your middle schooler.
Gary Aubuchon of Aubuchon Homes says there is demand for new homes, but when it comes to putting them up, there has been a challenge in getting labor. He says the challenge can be traced back to the housing market bust that followed the boom earlier in this decade. "98% of the work that was happening during the boom went away, and with it, went the workers."
Bringing them back from other areas of the country has been tough, as Southwest Florida's construction industry grinds back into gear. "Now as the market is coming back with strength, there's simply not enough skilled workers to fill that void."
A void that could affect you if you want a want newly built home. "What that means is longer build times."
The labor shortage is also putting more pressure on the local industry to double check its work. "There could be craftsmanship issues, as the skilled labor is not quite as skilled as it used to be. So intensive superintending."
But he's confident Southwest Florida's construction industry will weather the labor shortage just as it has other obstacles over the years. "It's a challenge we're going to rise through and get to."
So Aubuchon says he's got advice for your kids when it comes to lining up good jobs now. "If any of the listeners are children in middle school or high school, aren't thinking about college. Getting a skilled trade will pay dividends for them in the future."
And Aubuchon's industry is not alone. As Four in Your Corner showed you in a recent special report, skilled workers in all trades are in big demand in Southwest Florida. Just ask the people who train them in Lee County's technical schools. "The market is desperate for these kind of workers; desperate for their skills. The market being the market, will pay them what they need to get them," says principal William McCormick.
And how much they're willing to pay, may surprise you. "If you pay attention and do what we ask you to do. A six figure salary at some point in time in the near future is not out of the question," says HVAC instructor David Wahl.
It's something Aubuchon hopes the education system is taking note of. "For years our school system didn't teach children the honor of using their hands to build something, and there is honor in that. And there's great sense of accomplishment to be able to build a house like this."
You can find out more about where to go to learn to trade skills that in such big demand when you go to hightechcentral.org.
