There are currently more than four million post-Gulf War veterans in the U.S. Most of these veterans are between the ages of 25 and 44 and nearly 200,000 military men and women transition to civilian life each year. The construction industry has always attracted veterans and it is a source of pride for our industry that so many veterans choose construction careers. As the construction industry continues to experience labor shortages veterans are a vital talent pool to attract. A 2019 national survey of construction firms indicated that 70% of firms surveyed are struggling with a range of labor shortage issues, including meeting project deadlines, employees taking on increased workloads and rejecting new work.
Leadership Skills Align with Construction Industry
A significant advantage of hiring veterans is the leadership skills they have acquired—no matter their rank or position. Veterans also understand how to earn people’s trust and work as a group. They can size up a project and understand what is needed and how to work together to achieve the end result. Certain branches of the military provide technical training directly applicable to the construction industry. Veterans from these areas of service qualify for a wide range of construction positions, including equipment operators, foremen and carpenters. However, non-combat military positions also align with support services positions in construction, such as human resources and finance among others.
Sense of Community
Another benefit for veterans is belonging to a community. There is a similar sense of family in the construction industry which many veterans may be seeking after leaving active service. Many construction firms, as part of their hiring benefits package, are also now offering mental health resources when hiring veterans and working with them to deter the stigma of using these resources.
The talented work force of disciplined and committed veteran professionals is exactly what is needed to infuse the construction industry with diverse leaders and help the industry move forward and grow.