The comparative experience in multiskilling among U.S. hispanic and non-Hispanic construction craft workers

Mohammed A. Albattah, Paul M. Goodrum

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

After the latest economic recession, the U.S. construction industry has faced a shortage of craft workers, mainly among highly skilled trades, such as pipefitters and electricians. Current skilled workers are leaving the industry for other industries, such as manufacturing. As one approach to retain the current workers, multiskilling is one workforce strategy that has been traditionally proposed as a pathway to increase wages and job duration for workers. This study aims to understand the changes in multiskilling and the influence of race on multiskilling patterns through the National Craft Assessment and Certification Program (NCACP) dataset. Previous studies revealed that the Hispanic population has increased sharply in the construction industry but mainly among lower skilled construction trades. Furthermore among single skilled workers, there are significant differences in formal training between Hispanic and non-Hispanic workers. However, the findings show that there was no statistical difference between multi-skilled Hispanic and non-Hispanic construction craft workers in the rate of formal training. Further, there was no difference between Hispanic and non-Hispanic trade patterns among craft workers with dual-skills.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication6th CSCE-CRC International Construction Specialty Conference 2017 - Held as Part of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Annual Conference and General Meeting 2017
PublisherCanadian Society for Civil Engineering
Pages1375-1385
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9781510878419
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event6th CSCE-CRC International Construction Specialty Conference 2017 - Held as Part of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Annual Conference and General Meeting 2017 - Vancouver, Canada
Duration: May 31 2017Jun 3 2017

Publication series

Name6th CSCE-CRC International Construction Specialty Conference 2017 - Held as Part of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Annual Conference and General Meeting 2017
Volume2

Conference

Conference6th CSCE-CRC International Construction Specialty Conference 2017 - Held as Part of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Annual Conference and General Meeting 2017
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver
Period5/31/176/3/17

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

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