News Summary
Burns & McDonnell has opened a 14,000 square foot Construction Academy in Pearland, Texas, to address the skilled labor shortage in the construction industry. The academy aims to provide educational and practical training for various trades. Accompanied by a mobile training unit, it seeks to expand its reach and support workforce development to meet the demand for construction workers. With plans for a skills assessment facility by 2026, the academy aligns with industry efforts to attract more individuals into skilled trades and boost economic development.
Burns & McDonnell Opens Construction Academy in Pearland, Texas to Address Workforce Shortage
Pearland, Texas — A major new initiative aimed at tackling the ongoing shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry has been launched with the opening of a 14,000 square foot Construction Academy in Pearland. The facility was established earlier this year as part of broader efforts to train and develop craft workers necessary for critical infrastructure projects across the region and nation.
Purpose and Features of the Construction Academy
The academy is specifically designed to provide both educational and practical training for roles such as electricians, boilermakers, welders, riggers, carpenters, and pipefitters. It combines online knowledge assessments with hands-on instruction on real construction equipment and scenarios. Aimed at increasing the supply of qualified craft workers, the academy seeks to fill the gap left by a significant workforce shortage.
To extend its reach beyond the physical location, a mobile training unit accompanies the academy. This mobile unit enables the program to deliver education and skill assessments across different regions, reaching a wider pool of potential workers and supporting various construction industry sectors nationwide.
Responding to Industry Demand
Construction industry data underscores the urgency of this initiative. The Associated Builders and Contractors reports a need for approximately 450,000 new workers in the current year to meet ongoing project demands. This workforce deficiency has contributed to increased project delays and inflated labor costs across multiple sectors, including oil and gas, solar power, electrical substations, and aviation fueling.
Since its launch, the Pearland academy has trained a few hundred individuals in 2023. The program anticipates a substantial increase in participation over the next few years, with a goal of producing a robust pipeline of skilled workers to satisfy industry needs. Burns & McDonnell estimates that the construction industry will generate over 500,000 opportunities due to continued labor shortages.
Future Developments and Regional Support
An essential component of the academy’s development is the planned completion of a permanent hands-on skills assessment facility by 2026. This facility will simulate a real construction site environment, providing a realistic setting for evaluating and certifying trainee competence in core craft skills.
Local leaders, including the mayor of Pearland, have expressed support for the academy, emphasizing its role in boosting regional economic development and ensuring a steady supply of trained workers. The initiative aligns with broader industry efforts to attract more individuals into skilled trades and elevate the quality of workforce training programs.
Upcoming Opportunities for Job Seekers
To facilitate employment connections, an upcoming job fair hosted by ABC13 will enable job seekers to interact directly with potential employers within the construction industry. Such events aim to connect newly trained workers with available positions and promote careers in high-demand sectors.
Company Strategy and Industry Impact
The construction academy is part of Burns & McDonnell’s strategic effort to establish itself as a leading provider of craft construction labor across the United States. By investing in workforce development, the company hopes to help bridge the labor gap and support the successful execution of significant infrastructure projects nationwide.
As the program matures and expands, industry experts expect it to contribute significantly to alleviating the labor shortage, increasing the quality and number of skilled craft workers, and supporting vital sectors that drive economic growth and infrastructure development.
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Additional Resources
- ABC13: Pearland Company’s Construction Academy
- Burns & McDonnell: Opens Construction Academy
- Construction Dive: Houston Construction Academy
- Community Impact: Alvin ISD Trustees Approve Construction Contracts
- Google Search: Construction Academy
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