Craft Training Issues in American Industrial and Commercial Construction

Abstract

The construction industry relies on skilled craft workers supplied through various training programs. Based on a nationwide survey of industry experts regarding craft training programs, this paper examines the current state and effectiveness of construction craft training via 93 respondents from a wide range of U.S. industrial and commercial construction firms and associated craft training centers. The study’s survey data allowed the writers to examine the major issues regarding craft training, such as the relative importance of basic core topics, training completion rates, the relation between trades’ engagement and training, and the barriers of advancing craft training in construction. The paper also uses the experts’ responses to estimate the benefits of craft training on productivity, turnover, absenteeism, safety, and rework. Various statistical methods are used to support the analysis. Problems are identified in craft training among the training programs examined and potential solutions for improving craft training effectiveness are suggested.