Transform Construction Careers with Grit and Creative Campaigns to Close the Gap
The construction industry is facing a projected workforce shortage exceeding half a million workers, prompting leaders to rethink talent attraction and retention strategies. Greg Crumpton speaks with Jenny Schroen of Delmarva Veteran Builders about leveraging grit, veteran talent pipelines, and creative outreach campaigns to close the labor gap. The conversation highlights the need for the industry to reframe construction careers as viable, rewarding long-term paths.
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Key takeaways
The construction industry faces a workforce shortage projected to surpass 500,000 workers.
Creative recruitment campaigns and veteran-focused programs like Delmarva Veteran Builders are emerging as solutions.
Reframing construction as a career of grit and opportunity is key to attracting the next generation of workers.
As the construction industry faces a significant workforce shortage projected to surpass half a million workers, the need to inspire and educate the next generation about the value of construction careers is more critical than ever. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the U.S. construction industry needs to attract 501,000 additional workers in 2024 to meet labor demands. This shortage is driven by factors such as high retirement rates among experienced workers and insufficient numbers of young people entering the trades.
The U.S. construction industry needs to attract 501,000 additional workers in 2024 to meet labor demands.
How can we change the narrative around construction careers for young minds and emphasize the importance of grit and perseverance?
In the latest episode of "Straight Outta Crumpton," host Greg Crumpton welcomes Jenny Schroen, a creative developer at Delmarva Veteran Builders (DVB) and co-author of the children's book "Grit Leads to Greatness." The conversation explores the inspiration behind her book, the importance of grit, and how construction can save the world, one project at a time.
Key Points of Discussion:
- The creation of the children's book "Grit Leads to Greatness" and its message of perseverance and the importance of construction trades.
- The innovative ad campaign that highlights the veteran spirit and character traits essential in construction, which won an international marketing award.
- The challenges and triumphs of self-publishing and distributing a book aimed at inspiring children and changing perceptions about construction.
Jenny Schroen is a creative developer at Delmarva Veteran Builders and co-author of the children's book "Grit Leads to Greatness." With a background in graphic design from Flagler College, Jenny has worked across various industries before finding her niche in construction. Her dedication to promoting the construction trades and inspiring young minds has made her a pivotal figure in DVB's innovative initiatives.
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About the author
Straight Outta Crumpton Greg's personal & professional goals are to serve the people that he am working with and/or for. He carries this mantra in his professional life and his home life. Having 40+ years as a full-service mechanical and mission critical environments contractor with a heavy emphasis on service, maintenance and repair. Greg specialize in mission critical cooling (Heat Rejection) and electrical infrastructures, as well as the comfort cooling surrounding them. As a continual entrepreneur, several markets strike him as interesting. As varied as you could imagine, they range from Coffee with my bud's at www.CommonPlaceCoffee.com, all the way to serving as an adviser for several start-ups in the emerging technology world via www.aGlobalVenture.com & www.AtomPower.com and others. Giving back to his community is of equal importance to him, www.apparo.org and Animal Welfare are just a couple ways of doing just that.
