THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 30, 1996 TAG: 9609280150
SECTION: BUSINESS WEEKLY PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY MYLENE MANGALINDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 107 lines
Construction workers get no respect.
Young people making decisions about what they want to do when they grow up rarely turn to construction, say those in the industry.
``I don't know that the average young person sees anything other than the ditches, the dirt and the shovels,'' said Stan Plevyak, vice president of surety at Suffolk Insurance Corp.
Plevyak and others involved in the commercial construction industry hope to change the industry's image and reverse a growing trend: the shortage of good tradespeople.
Local members of the Associated General Contractors of Virginia, a trade group 700 firms strong, are taking steps to stem the loss of talent.
Last year, they decided to educate high school students about career options in construction. By targeting high schools and middle schools, they can reach kids before they've settled on a career path.
``We're trying to get interest stirred at a younger age so they can think of construction as a first career instead of thinking of it as a last ditch effort,'' said David Harrell, who works for Chesapeake-based R.D. Lambert & Son Inc.
The AGC's education and training committee assembled a short video tape to show guidance counselors, teachers and students. The seven-minute tape features positions like bricklayer, heating/ventilation mechanic, supervisor and surveyor. Amid splashes of color and upbeat music, the tape explains what they do and why it's worthwhile.
The committee has distributed the tapes to Hampton Roads members who will contact high school teachers or counselors, said Steve Vermillion, executive director of the AGC. They want to establish rapport with administrators who will show the tape during an appropriate assembly or career day fair.
They hope to follow up with a visit by a construction representative who will speak to groups about the field and answer questions.
``Exposing people to what's available is a major role of our association for the next few years to attract people to our industry,'' said Bob McKenzie, president of McKenzie Construction Corp. in Virginia Beach.
``We haven't done a very good job of telling our story,'' Vermillion added.
For more than 15 years, the construction industry has suffered from a dearth of skilled and trained craftsmen - electricians, carpenters, masons, plumbers. Fewer and fewer tradespeople are available. Not only in Virginia, but nationwide, Plevyak said.
The shortage is obvious when regions like Hampton Roads experience a construction boom and there aren't enough workers to complete all the tasks available.
``No one wants to work with their hands,'' said Tommy Hitt, vice president of Hitt Electric Corp. More attention goes to glamourous careers like medicine or law, even service sector jobs like retail.
Some like David Harrell got involved in construction as a summer job. After his introduction to the work at 17, he set out as a full-time laborer in 1983, learning one task after another - laborer, carpenter's helper, carpenter, foreman, superintendent.
``That's the beauty of it,'' said Harrell. ``Once you get to a position where you've learned enough about what you're doing, you have a chance for advancement. Your education is continuing every day.''
Hitt argues that people consider construction only a temporary position.
``That's the main reason there's a decline in the trades,'' Hitt said. ``It's not portrayed as a career.'' Particularly one where you can own your own company, he adds.
Many are quick to point out that construction pays well, often better wages than some entry-level service sector jobs. Carpenters earn an average of $11 an hour, according to a survey of members about two years ago. Bricklayers make $15 an hour. Specialty equipment operators of backhoes earn $17.25 an hour.
Members who are involved in persuading schools to show the video want others to enjoy the career path they've chosen. Construction has helped them be successful, they say. They hope to give others the same opportunity. More importantly, they want to ensure a viable work force for the future.
``There are those who realize we can't let the work force dwindle, because that's how we survive,'' Harrell said. ``Eventually we'll get to the point where we can't staff projects like we're supposed.''
``We have to start thinking of it now before we get into a really serious shortage.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
GARY C. KNAPP PHOTOS
Clerence Lee of Norfolk has worked as a bricklayer for more than 30
years. Bricklayers are, he says, ``a dying breed.'' Local members of
the Associated General Contractors of Virginia agree, and are taking
steps to entice more people into Lee's line of work.
Kenny Evans of Hampton, left, is the job foreman for form carpenters
at the construction site for a new Virginia Beach community center
in the Seatack neighborhood. Chris Johnson of Suffolk is the
concrete laborer foreman.
Electrician apprentice Tracy Carlson of Virginia Beach, left, works
with Eddie Barnard, site foreman for electricians at the Seatack
project. The construction industry is suffering from a dearth
electricians and other trained craftsmen - carpenters, masons,
plumbers.
Electrician apprentice Tracy Carlson of Virginia Beach, left, works
with Eddie Barnard, site foreman for electricians at the Seatack
project. The construction industry is suffering from a dearth of
electricians and other trained craftsmen - carpenters, masons,
plumbers.
KEYWORDS: CONSTRUCTION by CNB