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By Damon Scott, City Desk ABQ
Construction projects across the state are booming, but contractors say finding enough skilled laborers to fill positions is a chronic challenge. The workforce shortages often cause project delays and increased costs — issues that have motivated officials to propose a fix in Albuquerque.
The Apprenticeship Empowerment ordinance would require contractors to dedicate 15% of a job’s labor hours to apprenticeships on city construction projects that cost more than $1 million. Contractors that voluntarily commit to 25%, would receive a preference in the bidding process for city construction projects.
“We’ve been looking for ways to increase job training and job pathways,” City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn said. “We know that one of the major problems that we have in our city is a lack of pathways out of poverty.”
She’s the co-sponsor of the bill with City Councilor Dan Champine. Fiebelkorn said the idea of increasing apprenticeships is one that kept rising to the top of a list of viable options.
“The number one thing I hear is that young people in particular don’t see a way to get those jobs,” Fiebelkorn said. “It’s a way to get more job training.”
Apprenticeships are the first step to higher wage journeyman positions in the construction trades, such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters and equipment operators.
Brian Condit, the executive director of the New Mexico Building Trades Council, said the proposed measure is welcome news.
“The demand for construction craft professionals is just going crazy,” he said. “I’ve never seen it this busy.”
The Trades Council represents a consortium of 15 construction craft unions. Condit said it’s clear that young people aren’t entering the trades at a sufficient clip to replace those who will be retiring soon. He said there are about 3,000 registered apprentices in the state out of 59,000 construction craft workers — less than 5%.
“The scary part is we know how many members we have that are approaching retirement age next year and the year after — 25% to 30%,” he said. “We’re playing catch up, but we can train our way out of this hole.”
Fiebelkorn said using apprentices can also benefit companies through reduced payroll costs and increased profits. She and Champine recently met with leaders of construction companies who said they were in support of the proposed bill.
“They were all pretty excited about this, because they see that we’re at a point where there’s a shortage of laborers,” Fiebelkorn said.
The proposed ordinance passed unanimously out of the Finance & Government Operations Committee last week with a “do pass” recommendation. It is scheduled to be voted on by the City Council at its Oct. 7 meeting.