New York, NY New York State’s construction workforce is likely to recover and surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, according to a new report released from the NY Building Congress.
In its latest report, “2024 Construction Outlook Update: Workforce Snapshot,” the NY Building Congress projects that the statewide construction workforce will increase to 590,000 workers, exceeding 2019s pre-pandemic workforce of 585,000. The NY Building Congress anticipates the workforce number will grow even further following federal infrastructure investment in workforce development and as legal employment becomes possible for migrants and asylum seekers.
“Construction workers across New York are the force behind our economic rebound as they transform towns and cities, building the foundation for more resilient communities that reflect our diversity and ingenuity,” said Carlo Scissura, Esq., president and CEO of the NY Building Congress. “Our latest Workforce Snapshot showcases our industry’s tremendous milestones since the pandemic while reaffirming that the construction industry remains a pathway to the middle class for all New Yorkers. The NY Building Congress looks forward to continuing our work with the state and the city to implement necessary policies and reforms to keep the construction industry on this encouraging path forward.”
According to the report, the construction workforce is growing increasingly diverse across New York State. The NY Building Congress found that 46% of workers identify as non-white, an increase from 43% in 2021. In New York City, this figure rises to 69%, up from 66% previously. Moreover, 10% of all construction laborers statewide are women, an increase from 9.4% in 2021.
Within New York State, there has been an increase in young professionals in the construction industry. 7.8% statewide are under 25 years old, up from 6.6% in 2023. The workforce within NYC under 25 years old has gone up to 6.7% from 5.7% in 2021 and 4.9% in 2020, highlighting the emerging influence of new generations making strides within the industry.
The report also found that self-employment in the construction industry expanded, with new start-ups and existing firms offering more than 10,500 job openings, while government and nonprofits added more than 6,400 jobs.
The NY Building Congress saw commute times for industry workers in New York City increase, likely tied to surging housing costs forcing many in the industry to work further away from high-cost Central Business Districts. Roughly 65% of workers statewide have less than 45 minutes of travel time to work, compared to only 46% of city commuters.
Key recommendations from the report include:
• The industry needs to continue attracting and retaining young talent through effective training and education initiatives. The NY Building Congress’s Young Professionals Committee has been active in engaging and attracting younger workers and recommends increasing support for workforce training programs statewide to encourage more young people to join.
• The NY Building Congress recommends that the City Council pass the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity to continue supporting the expansion of new small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups without holding them back with outdated zoning restrictions that create barriers to growth.
• To further increase MWBE participation across the state, the NY Building Congress recommends developing a one-stop shop for M/WBE firms to bid on all state, city, and public authority projects in one place.
• To further grow the construction industry and increase diversity, the NY Building Congress recommends streamlining work permits for asylum seekers, developing a national program to provide job training for formerly incarcerated individuals, and decreasing fees for federal certification and required training courses, particularly OSHA Training Courses.
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