— Milwaukee’s construction sector is facing a challenging labor market, the Wisconsin Policy Forum reports.
In its latest report, the group says it uncovered a mixed picture for construction in the region. While some of the information they collected from industry leaders and other sources “suggest the workforce is stable and supported by a relatively robust pipeline,” other findings “may reflect longer-term challenges” for certain trades and types of workers, they wrote.
The report shows the sector’s labor market is strained, as unemployment is near historic lows while job openings are the highest they’ve been in more than two decades.
And though construction employment rose slightly during the pandemic, union members are “being stretched to work considerably more hours” than they were just 10 years ago.
Between 2012 and 2021, the number of active union workers in the region’s construction sector rose 3.2 percent. Over the same period, the number of hours worked by these laborers increased 19.9 percent, based on a WPF check of Building Trades United Pension Trust Fund data. And half of the unions that responded to a WPF survey said they have fewer available workers now than before the pandemic.
Late last year, the number of construction apprentices in the region was the highest it had been in more than 20 years, according to preliminary Department of Workforce Development figures included in the report. That total reached around 3,040 in October, up from around 1,200 a decade earlier. Plus, WPF says most unions expect that total to grow in the coming years after it plateaued during the pandemic.
But at the same time, report authors found five unions in the area — glazers, tile setters, roofers, bricklayers and iron workers — saw their apprenticeship totals fall by at least 17 percent in the past five years.
And unions representing roofers, painters and insulation professionals said they don’t have enough people lined up for apprenticeships to replace the number of workers expected to retire in the next few years, according to the report.
WPF is calling for further efforts to improve gender and racial diversity among construction workers in Milwaukee, noting “limited progress” has been made on this front. And the group suggests changing the city’s Residents Preference Program to require workers to periodically recertify.
The RPP program is meant to ensure a portion of jobs linked to projects supported by the city are filled by locals, and has been altered several times since it launched more than 30 years ago to “boost inclusion” in the workforce.
WPF says more than 8,700 workers have been certified through the program since 2012. But because their eligibility never expires, that makes it “impossible to estimate” how many are pursuing work in the local construction industry, according to WPF.
“City leaders may wish to require workers to recertify periodically to give employers and industry leaders a clearer understanding of the size of the available workforce and how it aligns with demand,” report authors wrote. “If they do so, however, they should consider how to ensure that the recertification process does not lead to the loss of available workers.”
See the report: https://wispolicyforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BuiltToLast_FullReport.pdf
— The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce is touting the results of a new study showing the chamber had a $1.5 billion economic impact over the past 20 years.
The study, conducted by the UW-Oshkosh Center for Customized Research and Services, found the chamber helped “create and support” about 13,500 jobs between 2001 and 2021.
That total includes the estimated 1,941 jobs created directly through chamber-backed project development and construction, and an additional 11,477 jobs created by the overall economic impact in the region.
The chamber’s activities have resulted in a 140-to-1 annual return on investment, according to the report. And economic development efforts led by the chamber have generated and supported $656.6 million in wages and benefits, as well as $156 million in federal, state and local taxes, report authors found.
The report also highlights specific economic development projects and business expansions supported by the chamber.
“I’m proud of all that the Chamber and the Oshkosh business community has accomplished over the last two decades to fuel and support our local community,” Chamber President Rob Kleman said in the release.
See more from the report: https://www.wisbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Oshkosh-Chamber-of-Commerce-Fact-Sheet.pdf
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Economic-Impact-Study-Press-Release.pdf
— Xcel Energy has announced plans to build a new microgrid that will power several Bayfield County facilities.
The utility company and the county have signed an agreement to construct the project. It will enable the county to power its jail and courthouse separately from the utility grid, according to a release. Xcel Energy says it will own, operate and maintain the electrical distribution system connecting these buildings while the county will own the solar panels, battery storage system and back-up diesel generator.
“This utility project will ensure energy delivery during severe weather events through a cost-effective combination of solar, battery storage and generator power,” Bayfield County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison said in the release.
The county got a $273,714 grant from the state Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation for the project, which is expected to be finished this year, the release shows.
See more project details: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/xcel-energy-bayfield-county-partner-to-construct-wisconsins-first-microgrid-under-new-utility-program/
— The Wisconsin Realtors Association has appointed Shorewest Realtors President Joe Horning as board chairman for 2023.
Horning succeeds outgoing chairman Brad Lois, owner of Bear Realty of Burlington.
WRA represents more than 17,000 real estate brokers, salespeople and affiliates around the state, according to a release.
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report … </b></i>
— UW-Madison researchers have developed a non-invasive way to deliver gene therapies to the entire brain for treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# In rural Wisconsin, former employees lift curtain on troubled crypto mine
# Great Dane co-founder Rob LoBreglio sees craft beer frontier in Japan
# UW-Richland closure transition plan calls for online focus
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– WFBF statement on Van Orden appointment to House ag panel
# CONSTRUCTION
– Madison proposes ordinance for building energy check-ups as reducing emissions becomes an ‘all hands on deck’ priority
# EDUCATION
– Fox Valley Technical College signs new transfer agreements with UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– Game of chicken: Restaurant segment booming in Milwaukee market
– Roman Candle Pizza owner Brewer Stouffer reflects on closing the business
– Flannery’s closing downtown Milwaukee restaurant after building sold
# HEALTH CARE
– On Wisconsin visit, HHS secretary contends ‘Dobbs won’t stand’
# LABOR
– UAW chief says deal near that may end CNH Industrial strike
# LEGAL
– Klement’s and Milwaukee World Festival end sponsorship agreement
# MANUFACTURING
– Molson Coors renews sponsorship agreement with Wisconsin Center District
# POLITICS
– DBA presents legislative leader awards
– Women’s marches draw thousands on 50th anniversary of Roe
– Women’s march draws thousands to Madison on 50th anniversary of Roe
– GMC, Mayor Johnson seek GOP support in launching review of city operations
# REAL ESTATE
– Wisconsin rental assistance program closing applications for help
# REGULATION
– CoBank: Dairy industry eager for reforms to FMMO
# TECHNOLOGY
– Wearable Technologies named a finalist in SXSW Pitch competition
# TRANSPORTATION
– WisDOT names its Excellence in Construction award-winners
# UTILITIES
– Wind turbine, blades collapse onto southern Wisconsin field
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 </i>
Park Bank: to Open location in Cross Plains
Marshfield Clinic Health System: Recognizes outstanding partners in community health
