News Summary
In Pearland, Texas, Burns & McDonnell has opened a 14,000 square foot Construction Academy to address the labor shortage in the construction industry. The academy, designed by the craft workforce development director, aims to train individuals for critical roles such as electricians and carpenters. With a goal of equipping approximately 450,000 new workers in 2023, the initiative combines online assessments with hands-on training. Local leaders have expressed support, recognizing the academy as a vital step in tackling the skilled labor gap.
Pearland, Texas – Burns & McDonnell has launched a 14,000 square foot Construction Academy in Pearland to combat the acute labor shortages facing the construction industry. The academy, developed by Chad Whetro, the craft workforce development director at Burns & McDonnell, aims to equip individuals with the skills necessary for vital roles, including electricians, boilermakers, pipefitters, and carpenters.
The institution plans to address the need for approximately 450,000 new workers in 2023 alone, as reported by Associated Builders and Contractors. This initiative reflects a broader strategy by Burns & McDonnell to emerge as a leading provider of craft construction labor across the United States.
As part of their training strategy, the academy will incorporate both online knowledge assessments and hands-on training to ensure participants are well-prepared for real-world applications. The program will also include a mobile training unit, enabling the academy to extend its reach and deliver educational resources throughout the region and nationwide.
In the few months since the academy opened, hundreds of individuals have already begun their training, with ambitions to significantly increase this number in future years. With ongoing labor shortages, Burns & McDonnell expects that more than 500,000 opportunities will emerge in the construction sector, emphasizing the critical need for skilled labor across various industries.
Key sectors in desperate need of qualified workers include oil and gas, solar power, electrical substations, and aviation fueling. The urgency for skilled professionals in these fields is underscored by the upcoming job fair hosted by ABC13, which aims to connect job seekers with potential employers in the construction industry.
As part of its commitment to workforce development in Pearland, local leaders, including the mayor, have expressed strong support for the academy. They view it as a vital step toward addressing the skilled labor gap that has become increasingly evident in recent years.
Looking ahead, Burns & McDonnell is set to open a permanent hands-on skills assessment facility by 2026. This facility will simulate real construction environments, providing practical training experiences for students and ensuring they acquire the necessary competencies to excel in the industry.
This new Construction Academy represents a proactive response to the labor pressures affecting the construction sector and serves as a model for similar initiatives nationwide. By investing in education and training, Burns & McDonnell aims to create a pipeline of qualified professionals prepared to enter a variety of essential roles in the construction landscape.
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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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