“Construction is an incredible career, and McCarthy has a long-standing tradition of respect for the art of building and the people who make it happen,” McCarthy Chairman and CEO Ray Sedey said. “These dedicated men and women are in the field every day, working together to safely tackle the most complex construction challenges and deliver exceptional results for our clients. ... We are proud to celebrate our craft professionals who are building the communities where we all live and work.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 168,500 openings for construction laborers are projected each year through 2031, on average. The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reports that construction employment increased in 45 states year-over-year in June, with an industry unemployment rate of just 3.6%.
McCarthy employs a broad range of craft professionals, including carpenters, equipment operators, laborers, foremen, plumbers, pipefitters, electricians, ironworkers, millwrights, and more. With a focus on safety, McCarthy craft professionals self-performed more than 25 million labor hours in 2022 and achieved a Total Project Incident Rate of 0.51, the lowest in company history.
With a team of 15 full-time craft development professionals on staff, McCarthy provides its craft workforce opportunities for classroom and on-the-job training year-round. The craft training department offers approximately 50 courses that are a combination of safety, skills-based, and field leadership development to develop a skilled workforce. In addition, McCarthy’s Registered Apprenticeship Program provides entry-level craft employees the opportunity to progress through a combination of on-the-job learning and classroom instruction. In spring 2023, McCarthy opened its Innovation and Craft Workforce Center, a multifunctional facility dedicated to McCarthy craft and trade partner training, supporting the development of the region’s future construction trade workforce.
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McCarthy also is actively engaged in a variety of industry and outreach activities to introduce construction careers to individuals who may not be aware of the opportunities or are unsure how to get started. For example, the firm has a long history of supporting service members of the United States Armed Forces during their service and transition back into the workforce, partnering with national and regional organizations to reach veterans looking for new opportunities.
Given the shortage of skilled craft professionals both now and long-term, McCarthy has also invested in outreach to students of all ages. McCarthy frequently supports in-class presentations, hands-on projects, and mentorship experiences to foster an early desire to learn more about construction career paths.
“Students, even as young as elementary school, should have the opportunity to be able to experience what construction is all about and understand the value of a career in the field,” Gilliland said. “We’re excited to open their eyes to the possibilities.”
