Construction Industry Confronts Workforce Crisis

From AGC's new advocacy campaign to a staggering demand for nearly half a million new workers, the industry is racing to solve a problem decades in the making.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:20pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium construction tools and materials, including a hard hat, safety goggles, a tape measure, and a stack of blueprints, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background. The objects use sharp, dramatic studio lighting and deep shadows to represent the abstract concepts of workforce development, infrastructure investment, and the skilled trades.A conceptual still life highlighting the tools and materials of the construction industry, which faces a critical workforce shortage that impacts communities nationwide.Washington Today

The construction industry is facing a severe labor shortage, with the Associated Builders and Contractors estimating a need for 439,000 net new workers in 2025 alone. This crisis has been building for decades, stemming from policy decisions in the 1980s that prioritized four-year college degrees over vocational training. The industry is now turning to new initiatives like the AGC Citizenship and Immigration Support Portal and the 'America's Moving Forward' advocacy campaign to address the problem.

Why it matters

The construction workforce shortage is not just an industry problem - it's impacting communities nationwide that are waiting on critical infrastructure projects like schools, hospitals, roads, and data centers. Solving this crisis requires legislative action on issues like workforce development funding, visa programs, and infrastructure investment.

The details

The construction industry is facing a severe labor shortage, with 92% of contractors reporting difficulty filling open positions and nearly half delaying projects due to lack of workers. This crisis has been building for decades, stemming from policy decisions in the 1980s that prioritized four-year college degrees over vocational training. The industry is now turning to new initiatives like the AGC Citizenship and Immigration Support Portal, which helps workers determine citizenship eligibility and connects them with legal support, as well as the 'America's Moving Forward' advocacy campaign to push Congress on issues like workforce development funding, visa programs, and infrastructure investment.

  • In the 1980s, the government published reports recommending a focus on four-year college degrees over vocational training.
  • In 2025, the construction industry is estimated to need 439,000 net new workers.
  • Over the next decade, the industry is projected to need 1.9 million new workers.

The players

Associated Builders and Contractors

A national construction industry trade association.

Associated General Contractors of America

A national construction industry trade association that has launched the 'America's Moving Forward' advocacy campaign.

Ken Simonson

AGC of America's chief economist with 40 years of industry experience.

Deniz Mustafa

Representing AGC's government affairs team.

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What they’re saying

“In the 1980s, the government published reports saying we have to go to college to be competitive. Parents and funding followed the recommendation. Only 20 percent of federal education funding goes to career or technical education and yet just 38 percent of workers actually receive a four-year degree.”

— Ken Simonson, AGC of America's Chief Economist

“Giving them long-term stability would help, and AGC is also pressing for new visa categories, including an H-2C construction-specific visa, though that's a long-term solution.”

— Ken Simonson, AGC of America's Chief Economist

“Segmentation surveys and focus groups allowed AGC to create the content for this effort. The campaign is specifically designed to resonate with a broad, bipartisan audience.”

— Deniz Mustafa, Representing AGC's Government Affairs Team

What’s next

AGC is continuing to push Congress on legislative priorities like reform of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, expansion of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and the creation of new temporary work visa pathways specifically for construction.

The takeaway

Solving the construction industry's workforce crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, including legislative action, new recruitment and training initiatives, and tools to help workers navigate immigration and citizenship processes. The industry's proactive efforts demonstrate the urgency of this challenge and its impact on communities nationwide.