Previously published in The Messenger

Last year’s bipartisan infrastructure bill provided new hope for the construction industry seeking to ramp up projects nationwide. But despite the infusion of federal money, significant labor shortages are thwarting progress.

Lack of workers has been an issue dating back to the Great Recession of 2008, when some employers saw 50% of workers leave the industry — and they did not return. According to the Department of Labor (DOL), the number of job openings today is equally as discouraging, with over 386,000 job openings posted in June. These numbers are expected to rise as older workers retire.

Fortunately, there is a solution hiding in plain sight: vocational schools. In Florida, for example, partnerships have been established among the construction industry, government and the business community to leverage vocational schools, referred to as career technical education, and are aimed at growing a skilled workforce. As a regional president for a construction company and president of an organization of state business leaders, we believe Florida’s progress can serve as a model for other states to spur the next generation of talent.

Vocational schools prepare attendees to enter the workforce with a valuable and in-demand skills in a single field. With smaller class sizes and a more focused curriculum, time and money are saved.

The upshots for applicants are significant. Figures from DOL show more than 90% of apprentices who complete their program retain employment and go on to earn an average annual salary of $72,000. Meanwhile, the average debt for a four-year bachelor’s degree is $34,700.

Talk about a true win-win. Vocational school costs less and the jobs they produce can actually pay more than some requiring college degrees: The average salary for college graduates is about $50,000 per year. There are at least 30 million jobs in our country that do not require a bachelor’s degree but pay more than $55,000 per year.

In Florida, the DeSantis administration has prioritized investments for developing a skilled workforce through career technical education. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an executive order in 2019 charting a course for the state to lead workforce education by 2030. To that end, his administration has committed more than $5 billion over the last four years.

These efforts are paying off in the Sunshine State. According to Lightcast’s 2022 Talent Attraction Scorecard, Florida ranks first in the nation for attracting and developing a skilled workforce. Postsecondary enrollment has increased by 12%, with more than 380,000 students currently enrolled and a record 772,000 students enrolled in career technical education programs.

But more work remains across the country to enroll students in vocational schools, particularly for construction jobs. Florida’s strategy can be exported in three parts.

First, lawmakers should create additional financial incentives for students. For example, Florida’s “Open Door Grant Program” has provided $35 million this year for students to pay for vocational programs and earn credentials for high-demand jobs.

Second, more must be done to reduce the stigma around vocational schools. Higher education is a pathway to success for many, but not for everyone. Programs like those in Florida have helped reverse this trend by surveying parents and the business community, as well as increasing education and awareness around vocational opportunities. The state has a month dedicated to career and technical education to spotlight prospective career pathways and good-paying jobs that are accessible through vocational programs.

Finally, the construction industry has a responsibility to play a more active role in recruiting, training, incentivizing and attracting diverse workers to enroll in trade schools to fill construction jobs. For instance, the industry should offer more apprentice programs to expose career technical education graduates to different aspects of construction and focus on attracting a more diverse workforce. This can range from STEM programming to offering financial incentives for minority, veteran or women-owned small contractors.

It is undeniable that the construction industry has evolved dramatically over the past several years. Thanks to advanced developments in technology and innovation, there are more dynamic and appealing job options to attract and retain young talent.

We all have a role to play in recruiting and training the next generation of talent into the vocational workforce. Florida’s model should be replicated nationwide to make a real and lasting impact.

Pete Tuffo is the president of Suffolk Construction’s Florida Gulf Coast Region.

Michael Simas is the president of the Florida Council of 100, a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of business leaders committed to promoting economic growth and improving the quality of life for Floridians through policy recommendations for public leaders statewide and the public.