Sisson, P. (2021). One solution to a shortage of skilled workers? Diversify the construction industry. The New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/25/business/dealbook/labor-shortage-diversity.html

The solution to a shortage of skilled workers is to diversify. Sisson recounts the struggles endured by underserved groups, specifically women, in their efforts to break into the construction industry. Historically exclusionary hiring practices will exacerbate the shortage if the Biden Administration’s bipartisan infrastructure bill passes; this bill is predicted to create “two million jobs per year over a decade.” Not only is it imperative to appeal to a larger pool of skilled workers to increase numbers in the industry, Sisson also highlights the other benefits of diversifying: “‘We need diversity because it improves the outcome…Different life experiences and different ways of looking at things can apply to the work.’”