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Joseph N. Merlino is vice president of Bayshore Rebar, based in Pleasantville, New Jersey. The opinions are the author’s own.
It is the month of professional careers in construction. As we face a a massive skills shortage in the sectorit is more important now than ever to raise awareness about careers in construction.
Our younger generation does not see construction as a viable career option. Unfortunately, non-traditional career paths are often not presented to young people graduating from high school as a viable and lucrative alternative to college. The lack of awareness and a plan to build a pipeline of workers continues to disrupt the industry.
I was one of those kids for whom the traditional path to a desk job via an expensive four-year college degree wasn’t the most appropriate or feasible option. I am very grateful for the training I received as a steelworker that led to a long and fulfilling career in construction and a comfortable life with a well-established rebar construction business.
In 1981, I was 15 years old when I went to help my uncle with his work for 10 days at G&H Steel Services Inc., a general contractor in Broomall, Pennsylvania. I enjoyed it so much that when I returned home to Philadelphia, I dropped out of 10th grade and joined Iron Workers Local 405. I completed the apprenticeship program there while earning a decent living.
At the end of my education, I had a lucrative career ahead of me, and I did it all without racking up college debt. I knew that the traditional four-year college route to a major that came with massive college debt wasn’t going to be for me.
Joseph N. Merlino
Permission granted by Bayshore Rebar
As a metalworker, I worked on construction projects for many impressive structures such as the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. After a while I started my own rebar construction company which blossomed into the business it is today. I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed possible through my training as a blacksmith, which began with the Iron Workers Local 405 Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Ripple effect
As a construction contractor with over 40 years experience in the industry, I can attest to the fact that time is working against the industry and the growing demand for projects is sinking into a shallow pool of hands of qualified work. It has resulted in higher prices and longer construction schedules. Problems finding skilled labor hurt the bottom line when companies can’t meet growing project demand.
The current labor shortage can have a ripple effect on the US economy, especially in today’s uncertain political climate. Funding the bipartisan infrastructure bill alone will not fix our crumbling infrastructure.
The new president and administration’s continued support for our registered apprenticeship programs would be key to continuing to close the skills gap and train our future generation to build our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.
It’s time we stop telling our young people that their only path to success is a four-year college degree. The earn-as-you-learn learning model works. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t pursued my career in construction.
Apprenticeships are a proven route to securing a career: Nearly nine out of 10 apprentices are employed after completing their programs with an average starting salary of more than $50,000, according to the Department of Labor.
I have been fortunate to have a steady supply of skilled labor for my construction company because of my background as a steelworker and my connection to the Iron Workers locales in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, which have excellent Slow registered learning programs and train the next generation of experts. tools
There is more than one path to success. We simply need to improve the promotion of technical training and trades at the middle and high school levels to give them options, so that these young people can find and thrive in these well-paying and fulfilling careers in construction.
