Bridging the Gap

The U.S. construction industry faces a critical challenge: a workforce shortage projected to reach one million by 2030. While technology and AI offer innovative solutions, they risk overlooking the most essential element—people. Compounding this crisis are factors like the great resignation, an aging workforce nearing retirement, and a failure to connect with half the U.S. population.

These shifts have fundamentally changed the workforce. Today’s employees want safe, supportive spaces where they feel valued. The construction industry can no longer operate solely from a project-centered perspective—it’s time to focus on people first.

Over my 16 years in construction, I’ve navigated an industry I love—one that hasn’t always returned the sentiment. My education at ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law taught me to value higher education, but my career has shown me that success doesn’t always require a degree.

As college enrollment dropped by 14.6% between 2011 and 2021, skilled trades continues to be a vital sector, contributing 6.3% to the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis. GDP and offering higher starting salaries than many degree-required jobs. Construction leaders now have a unique opportunity to reshape the industry by addressing outdated perceptions of skilled trades and systemic challenges hindering the workforce pipeline.

A people-first strategy, supported by data, collaboration, and cultural transformation, is essential to solving this crisis.

‍The Workforce Crisis: Perception and Pipeline Issues

The construction industry’s workforce shortage isn’t just about numbers — it reflects decades of systemic challenges. Issues like an aging workforce, the great resignation, and retention struggles have brought the industry to a critical moment:

• Aging workforce: The average construction worker is 42.5 years old, and retiring workers leave a gap in skilled trades knowledge and mentorship, according to the National Institutes of Health
• Overlooking younger generations: The U.S Census states thatGen Z and Millennials represent 177 million people, yet the industry struggles to focus on this critical segment.
• Lack of diversity: Women make up 50.5% of the population but represent less than 14% of the construction workforce—and less than 4% are tradeswomen, according to the U.S Census and Department of Labour.
• Retention issues: Women, minorities, and younger workers leave the industry at high rates, deepening workforce shortages.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill is a step forward, but its success hinges on establishing the infrastructure of people with the ability to perform the work. This is why I developed WynTech Group.

WynTech Group: A Vision for Workforce Transformation

WynTech Group is a new platform designed to transform workforce development through a comprehensive national apprenticeship database. Our goal is to bridge gaps in the workforce pipeline by creating accessible, inclusive, and up-to-date resources for the next generation of construction workers. While we are still building, our vision is clear:

• Comprehensive Database: WynTech has already generated a database of 300 skilled trades apprenticeship programs across the U.S., with plans to expand further and ensure access to a wide range of opportunities.
• AI-Powered Matching: Our platform helps jobseekers find programs tailored to their skills and career goals while supporting organizations in identifying and connecting with qualified applicants.
• Subscription-Based Model: Centralized program details and updates to save organizations and government agencies time and resources, allowing them to focus on workforce growth.
• Commitment to Diversity: WynTech is committed to addressing representation gaps by connecting more women and underrepresented groups to skilled trades opportunities.

As we grow, our mission is to become the go-to resource for workforce development organizations, unions, and employers. We aim to streamline access to opportunities, create efficiencies, and ultimately build a more diverse and resilient skilled trades workforce.

Prioritizing Culture: The Key to Retention

Technology like WynTech can identify gaps and streamline processes, but culture is the cornerstone of retention and workforce resilience. A workplace where employees feel valued and supported directly impacts productivity and morale.

Studies show that a positive work environment leads to higher productivity, better safety outcomes, and stronger financial performance by 21%. Culture, however, isn’t built overnight. It requires consistent effort, transparency, and accountability from leadership. Unlike technology, culture cannot be “faked.” In fact, it must be “baked” deeply ingrained and sustainable over time.

Leaders should ask themselves:

• Am I creating an environment where employees feel heard and respected?
• Are our recruitment strategies aligned with our organizational goals and values?
• Are we actively supporting the personal and professional growth of our workforce?

Employees want to work in environments where they feel a sense of belonging. This isn’t limited to specific demographic groups — it’s a universal need. According to the CDC, 53.3 construction workers out of every 100,000 workers commit suicide the industry faces a broader cultural challenge. With 80% of the U.S. construction workforce identifying as white male that signifying a larger problem. Addressing these issues and fostering belonging is critical to workforce retention.

Rethinking Workforce Development: Collaboration as the Solution

Building a positive culture within organizations is crucial, but broader progress demands collaboration across the industry. Contractors, educators, policymakers, and workforce groups must work together to create sustainable solutions.

Programs that align with high school curriculums, community colleges, and workforce development agencies can help bridge the gap between education and employment. Partnerships with nonprofits and industry associations focused on workforce resiliency can ensure these pathways reach underrepresented populations. By using tools like WynTech Group, these organizations can streamline access to opportunities and amplify their impact.

A Greener Tomorrow’s Breaking Barriers: Connecting Technology and People

Collaboration also means sharing stories that inspire action. My nonprofit organization, A Greener Tomorrow’s Breaking Barriers: Women at Work five-part Youtube docuseries, which begins March 2025, exemplifies the intersection of technology and people.

By leveraging data to identify gaps in workforce representation, the series goes beyond numbers to share the personal stories of leading women in construction and the positive impacts of diverse leadership. These stories humanize the data, highlighting the challenges and successes of women leaders who are reshaping the industry.

The docuseries shows the power of intentionality and changing the culture of construction — one that prioritizes people over projects. By showcasing everyday work settings where inclusion and leadership thrive, the Breaking Barriers series a roadmap for creating environments that inspire belonging and growth. This visual representation of what’s possible not only celebrates progress but also motivates leaders to act.

A Call to Action: Building the Future Together

The construction workforce shortage is an opportunity to reshape the industry and attract the future generation. While technology identifies workforce gaps, expedites problem-solving, and streamline processes, it cannot fix the core issues rooted in human connection. Technology alone is not the solution. The real transformation happens when we combine technological insights with leadership that prioritizes culture, inclusion, and growth.

Now is the time to act and rebuild our people systems and create a new workforce infrastructure. Whether revisiting your company’s recruitment approach, leveraging tools like WynTech Group to connect with diverse talent, or starting conversations about creating a more inclusive industry, every step counts.

Together, we can bridge the gap and build a future where technology empowers people, and everyone can thrive.