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Building Today and Tomorrow

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 40% of the skilled trades workforce is expected to retire within the next decade. This fact, and fewer young people entering the trades, has created an unprecedented demand for skilled trades professionals across various industries, especially construction.

By next summer, the LP1 site is expected to be at its peak, potentially employing 6,000 people on site, with 4,500 being craft professionals. In such an environment, how is leadership at Fluor, the LP1 design build company, making sure skilled labor needs can be met?

“We know the cornerstone of any successful project is a highly skilled and dedicated workforce,” said Industrial Relations Manager Eric White. “In this environment, we recognize that simply competing for workers isn’t enough. We must offer a top-notch worksite with opportunities that demonstrate our commitment to safety, excellence and long-term career growth.”

Open communication
According to White, leadership practices such as weekly small group meetings between top-level managers and craft workers help provide an open channel for communication, helping to alleviate problems and continuously improve the workplace.

“Safety is always number one, with quality an absolute,” White said. “But there are a lot of other things that factor into creating a harmonious work environment. For example, we want to make sure the schedule is productive enough to draw people to a well-compensated work week with enough hours, but not too much to drive down morale and productivity. Other conveniences such as catered meals, vending machines, and temperature-controlled lunch canteens and bathrooms are all initiatives designed to make working on the site more attractive.”

Strong union partnerships
With more than 50 contractors on site, creating a shared safety culture with common workplace values can be challenging. One key way White works to ensure good craft communication and support is through a partnership with the Central Indiana Building Trades, an organization representing all unionized trades in the area. With most site construction being performed by union contractors, the partnership helps ensure smooth collaboration and a workforce that feels safe, valued and supported.

“This partnership helps the project attract and retain a high-quality workforce,” White said. “Given the very competitive labor market, we need strong collaboration with the building trades to ensure their members see this project as the best in the region. For the unions, I serve as the central point of contact for the site and assist union leaders with day-to-day issues. In turn, I sometimes ask them to help us communicate and reinforce information to their members.”

Investing in the workforce of the future
Beyond the job site, Fluor supports the Built to Succeed initiative, led by the Indiana Careers in Construction Association. This program is designed to increase awareness and participation in the construction trades, especially among high school students and young adults considering trade career paths.

“Built to Succeed addresses a nationwide challenge: the diminishing focus on the trades in many schools and the lingering misconceptions that trades work is less than a traditional college degree,” White said. “In reality, most trade apprenticeships are rigorous, respected and financially rewarding. In five years, a tradesperson can graduate without student debt and begin earning a six-figure income—a powerful alternative to the college path.”

White sees education and information about skilled trades careers as being integral to the future of construction and the country in general.

“We need to make sure the next generation understands the benefits of learning a skilled trade,” he said. “We’re supporting partnerships like this so young people considering a career in the construction industry understand both the benefits and the long-term career potential.”