BYF Build Missouri Established to Help Close Construction Skills Gap

With over 100,000 craft professionals needed in Missouri in the next three years, the Associated General Contractors of Missouri Education Foundation partnered with Build Your Future to make an impact on the skilled workforce shortage. Build Missouri aims to educate Missouri residents about training opportunities and career paths to lucrative employment in high demand occupations in the construction industry.

“With the need to attract new craftworkers into the Missouri construction market, we knew we needed a platform to enhance the image of industry careers and Build Missouri helps us address those concerns,” said David Volk, chair of the AGC of Missouri Education Foundation.

As 70 percent of jobs need a certification, credential or craft training — something less than a four-year degree — the construction industry provides meaningful careers with high salaries and little to no debt. Build Missouri outlines training and apprenticeship programs throughout Missouri, provides details about craft salaries and connects job seekers with employers.

To make as much of a difference as possible, Build Missouri is focusing on three main areas:

1. Shift the public’s perception about careers in the construction industry and inform the public about career paths and advancement opportunities in skilled craft professions
2. Make career and technical education a priority in high schools and available to any who want to enter the construction workforce
3. Provide a path from interest to training to job placement as a skilled craft professional

Build Missouri’s goals are to recruit the next generation of craft professionals, promote craft careers and facilitate training. As Missouri’s construction industry expands, organizations using these resources will be able to help work toward closing the skills gap among the state’s craft workforce. To learn more, visit missouri.byf.org.

For more information on partnering with BYF, visit byf.org.