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Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Industry groups launch National Career In Trades Week
This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter. Aaron Hilger thinks it's time to double down on recruiting Generation Z to the trades. 'I'm a parent of three 20-year-olds, so I'm on the front lines of discussions about trades and careers,' said Hilger, CEO of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association. Hilger said he was pleased when his triplets had visitors to their high school a few years ago discussing options for careers outside of pursuing higher education. Although college remains the most popular option for teenagers, a large group of the emerging workforce is realizing college may not fit them. Around nine in 10 members of Gen Z — those born between 1997 and 2012 — said learning a skilled trade can be a better route to economic security than college, according to a Thumbtack survey. Eight in 10 parents agreed. 'I think a lot of that has changed because the cost of college has gotten so high,' Hilger said. 'It used to be when I went to school, an expensive school was $20,000 a year. Now a lot of private schools are $80,000 a year. That ROI calculation with those kinds of numbers becomes a lot more challenging.' To capitalize on that trend, and to help with the massive gap in demand for workers, SMACNA is partnering with the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers and the International Training Institute to launch the first National Careers In Trades Week April 7-11. The goal is to increase awareness of the benefits of choosing careers in the trades for American job seekers. This week, the groups will provide a push on social media to continue to try to advertise the trades, particularly to Gen Z, and reach markets or regions it hasn't attempted to recruit in before. That includes highlighting the types of technology tools that are used on the job, Hilger said, as Gen Z grew up with more tech in their hands at a younger age than previous generations. But first and foremost, it's about emphasizing the earning potential. 'You can actually see the results of your work,' Hilger said. 'That's always been appealing to a certain group of young folks. And I think it may be a little more appealing now, particularly when you weigh in the earning potential.' The groups plan to share stories from programs like Heavy Metal Summer Experience, such as that of Alejandra Rios. Rios said her dad was a carpenter, but she still didn't feel like the trades were advertised to her. Now, she's in her second year of a five-year journeyman program studying at Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 66 in Western Washington. A commonly used phrase was a big part of Rios choosing to pursue the trades, and something she hoped her peers may consider rather than pursuing college and accruing debt. 'One of the biggest things for me is like a zinger that our union has, which is 'Earn while you learn,'' Rios told Construction Dive.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Construction Industry Navigates Trump Tariff Impacts on Steel Prices
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) held its sideways trend, budging down a slight 1.35%. Meanwhile, the U.S. construction industry faces a complex landscape shaped by recent policy changes, Trump tariffs and other economic factors. Steel remains a fundamental component of modern construction, playing a crucial role in buildings, bridges and infrastructure. Key materials such as H-beam steel and steel rebar provide essential strength and reinforcement for dozens of types of projects. But with a newly imposed 10% tariff on Chinese steel imports, contractors and developers will likely experience some price increases. In 2024, China's steel exports climbed to 110.72 million metric tons, reflecting a 22.7% rise from the prior year. This surge largely stemmed from declining domestic demand, which prompted Chinese manufacturers to offload surplus steel into global markets. As a result, international steelmakers faced mounting pressure to lower their prices in order to compete. Much of China's exported steel comprises construction-focused materials, including H-beam steel and steel rebar. With the enforcement of the 10% tariff on Chinese steel and the possibility of an even steeper 25% tariff on all steel imports, procuring these materials from China is becoming less financially viable. As the price of imported steel and aluminum rises due to the Trump tariffs, the construction industry is bracing for potential financial strain. Many firms argue that higher costs may lead to project delays, scaled-down developments or increased expenses that will ultimately be passed on to end-users. Small business owners across the construction sector, who are already grappling with tight profit margins due to persistently high interest rates, worry that these tariffs could exacerbate their financial difficulties. Despite the immediate challenges, some industry experts argue that these tariffs could benefit the domestic steel and aluminum sectors in the long term. By making foreign materials more expensive, policymakers aim to promote domestic production, potentially fostering increased investment in U.S. manufacturing and creating new jobs in these industries. For instance, the construction industry saw substantial price increases during the COVID-19 pandemic due to labor shortages, supply chain interruptions and increased demand. In addition to this, materials like steel and lumber saw price increases during the pandemic that were far higher than anticipated price increases under the new tariffs. According to this historical comparison, tariffs may have a more predictable and controllable effect than the market instability that occurred during the pandemic, even though the current Trump tariffs will still raise expenses. Industry organizations urge construction firms to be proactive in navigating these pricing fluctuations. The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) recently advised companies to adjust contracts in anticipation of cost increases and to explore domestic sourcing options where practical. Price changes in the aluminum industry since aluminum tariffs were announced by the Trump Administration. Source: MetalMiner Insights Additionally, many businesses are leveraging market intelligence tools such as MetalMiner to stay ahead of price movements. Platforms like MetalMiner provide real-time metal price updates, forecasts and cost analysis tools, helping companies make informed purchasing decisions and implement strategies to reduce tariff-related expenses. By the Metal Miner team More Top Reads From this article on Sign in to access your portfolio
