Everyone Wants Skilled Workers. Who Is Willing to Develop Them?

Construction needs skilled workers. But if every contractor is looking for people who are already trained and experienced, who is developing the people the industry will need next? Jennifer Wilkerson, Vice President of Innovation and Advancement at the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), joins Ryan Ware to explore why training and developing people has become a strategic issue for the construction industry. Jennifer brings a unique perspective to the conversation. Before joining NCCER more than 16 years ago, she spent 13 years teaching high school English and six years helping run the welding and fabrication company she and her husband founded. That combination of education, construction, and workforce development shapes how she thinks about the people entering the industry and the opportunities we create for them. Ryan and Jennifer challenge the “short game” of waiting for experienced, journey-level workers to appear. They explore what changes when contractors take a more active role in developing talent, why training should be viewed as an investment rather than simply an expense, and how credentials and career pathways can help people see a future for themselves in construction. The conversation also challenges assumptions about the skilled trades and the idea that a four-year degree is the primary path to success. From high school programs and apprenticeships to foreman, superintendent, business ownership, and the C-suite, Jennifer makes the case for creating more ways for people to enter, grow, and build meaningful careers in the industry. In this episode: Why waiting for journey-level workers is the “short game” Why training is becoming a strategic business investment How contractors can help develop the talent they need What credentials and career pathways mean to skilled workers Why perceptions of the skilled trades still need to change What construction risks when it fails to develop the next generation Chapters 00:00 Why Construction Needs a Stronger Talent Pipeline 01:16 Meet Jennifer Wilkerson 03:29 From the Classroom to Construction 07:49 How the Four-Year Degree Became the Default Path 14:06 What Happens When People Find the Right Path 21:40 Why Construction Is Investing More in Training 23:39 The Short Game: Waiting for Skilled Workers 26:21 Where a Skilled-Trades Career Can Lead 30:27 What If You Train Them and They Leave? 32:50 Why People Pursue Training and Credentials 35:35 Investing in People Changes the Culture 39:00 Why Solving the Talent Problem Matters 44:19 Construction’s Role in Building the Next Generation 48:06 The Cost of Not Developing People 55:14 What Success Looks Like 59:25 How Construction Leaders Can Get Involved 1:02:26 Resources from NCCER 1:04:14 Developing the Next Generation Guest Jennifer Wilkerson is the Vice President of Innovation and Advancement at the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Her background includes teaching high school English for 13 years and serving as the acting business manager for six years at the welding and fabrication company she and her husband founded and owned. Jennifer has been at NCCER for more than 16 years, working across multiple departments and positions. She actively presents on workforce development issues and resources, construction career pathways, industry-education partnerships, women in construction, and recruitment into the construction industry. Connect with Jennifer and NCCER https://www.nccer.org/ Overcast Innovations Helping project teams coordinate building systems earlier for more predictable outcomes. New Lyfe Accounting Free Diagnostic ($500 value) for Activating Curiosity Listeners by NLA, to help your financial goals Connective Consulting Group Helping construction leaders simplify change, strengthen trust, and move forward with clarity. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Have feedback or stories to share? Drop us a note or leave a VM—we’re listening! Follow Ryan at the following:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankware/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/connective-consulting-group-llc https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ https://connective-coaching.com/ https://ryanware.me/ Don't miss out on future episodes! Follow & subscribe now to our newsletter and stay informed about the latest trends and insights in the construction industry. If this show helps you, please consider supporting it. Just $3/month helps cover production and keeps the conversations going. ⭐ “Love the show? Toss some stars my way, it’s the easiest applause ever.