Tackling the Skilled Labor Shortage Crisis

The rise of complex capital projects continues to accelerate with more than $500 billion currently in the pipeline for megaprojects in the United States, according to constructconnect.com. Critical to the successful execution of these projects are skilled electrical professionals, many of whom are nearing retirement. This reality, combined with a shortage of new workers entering the field, threatens to curb innovation and project execution. As an industry, we must solve for this challenge and support valued tradespeople. But getting started can be overwhelming.

Luckily, there are ways to help seasoned veterans effectively transfer expertise and lessons learned to the next generation and innovative technology solutions designed to maximize skilled laborers and increase efficiencies. From innovative solutions designed to enhance skilled labor productivity to the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)/ELECTRI’s new apprenticeship program that provides a distinct path to training, career advancement and leadership opportunities, the whole industry can benefit by leveling up the next generation of tradespeople. 

Tapping technology to maximize labor

When it comes to maximizing the labor you do have, some things are table stakes. Materials need to be at the job site when you need them; skilled workers shouldn’t spend time doing tasks that non-skilled laborers could do; and site management should be streamlined where possible. Technology can help in each of these areas: 

• Remote job-site management: Artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) solutions offer a virtual management approach for job sites, whether remote or not. This not only saves contractors travel time by enabling virtual tracking of progress and updates but is also particularly advantageous for geographically remote or hazardous locations. Read the recent article on “How Cobots Are Changing Electrical Job Sites.” In such scenarios, automation and robotics can further enhance AI and VR, ensuring contractor safety while also contributing to time savings.
• Keeping skilled labor focused on their skillset: In the same way you wouldn’t want a surgeon handling routine paperwork, you don’t want specialized labor spending time performing basic, mundane tasks. Prefabricated, or prefab, solutions can help solve this challenge by having lower-skilled labor perform basic assembly tasks off site. Products arrive pre-assembled, allowing skilled workers to spend more time on critical tasks. Prefab is ideal for large projects with repetitive elements, such as hotels, office buildings, or apartments.
• Material management: Efficient job execution relies on timely material access. Delays in material delivery cause skilled labor downtime. Vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and just-in-time (JIT) solutions synchronize material delivery with production schedules. Automated inventory control via RFID or smart shelves can also help eliminate manual counting, reducing downtime, optimizing inventory, and streamlining procurement—all contributing to job efficiency.

Sharing expertise with the next generation

While job efficiency technologies are critical to maximizing labor output, passing on knowledge to help the next generation of workers do their jobs as productively is equally important. 

As skilled laborers gear up for retirement, knowledge transfer helps build processes and ensures the electrical industry holds on to important expertise. Veteran contractors passing along their knowledge—from best practices to lessons learned from decades in the field— sets the next generation of tradespeople up for success.

While accumulated knowledge should not replace formal training programs, don’t underestimate the value of being mentored by and learning from those with significant first-hand experience. Connecting newer contractors with seasoned veterans empowers the next generation, ensuring the construction industry's longevity and sustainability. Sometimes it can be hard to facilitate this transfer organically. Contractors should consider how to incorporate formal mentorship programs to connect veteran contractors with new professionals to help bridge the gap. 

Key takeaways from NECA/ELECTRI’s new apprenticeship program 

In an effort to address the labor shortage, contractors have two options: hire skilled laborers, or hire and train new industry entrants. Both pose challenges: there’s a shortage of contractors with experience but training new talent can be a resource and productivity drain. NECA/ELECTRI saw a gap in the training landscape—contractors needing a reliable way to build project management talent without sacrificing productivity—and decided to do something about it. 

One year ago, with the support of the Wesco Cares scholarship program, the NECA/ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship program was born that bridges the field to office transition. While we’ve had this training style for decades in the field, it hasn’t been applied to the office. 

This 12-month Department of Labor (DOL)-registered apprentice program is built specifically for NECA contractors to grow the capabilities of current employees while providing support for mentors and managers every step of the way. It is designed to strengthen project management in electrical construction and redefine how electrical contractors grow and retain project management talent. Some participants have worked in the field for a decade or more and are looking to transition to a project management role. In fact, 40% of program participants to date have been from the field, making a transition to the office. Many others are newer in their career, but don’t yet understand all of the aspects of running a project. 

The program consists of a three-pronged approach: six hours each week of online instruction (150 hours total for participants of the program) with real-time coaching and 2,000+ hours of structured on-the-job learning. The goal is to develop confident, job-ready project managers, without adding a training burden to internal teams. In the first year, the program has enrolled more than 100 apprentices nationwide, partnered with more than 60 NECA contractors, and has expanded to 25+ states. Today, the NECA/ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship represents one of the largest—and fastest growing—project management-focused Registered Apprenticeships in the country.

“It’s important to understand that in this field, you won’t learn everything overnight. Growth is a process—and it takes time, patience, and support to truly reach your potential,” says Briar Rightmeyer, an assistant project manager and apprentice in the inaugural program. “This apprenticeship offers exactly that: a dedicated team that supports and nurtures your development every step of the way. Combined with your commitment to learning and hard work, it becomes a powerful foundation for building a successful career. Consider these Cs: be curious, be coachable, and, most importantly, be committed.”

As NECA and ELECTRI both look to the future, the goal for this program is to develop additional apprenticeship pathways to address training needs for other high-demand roles in electrical construction, including safety, estimation, and BIM. Additionally, NECA and ELECTRI want to expand access to the project management apprenticeship for more NECA contractors and hard-working career seekers in 2026.

With technology and training programs working in concert, electrical contractors can work to overcome the skills shortage that has stretched this industry thin for years. For more information about the NECA/ELECTRI Project Management Apprenticeship, visit https://www.electri.org/project-management-apprenticeship/.