Two new resources on California’s construction workforce are available online for the Far North region. 

The Far North Center of Excellence (COE) was part of a team that released a labor market study that included a survey of construction sector employers and stakeholders. A report containing the study’s findings as well as a recorded webinar hosted at the end of October that was attended by community college and industry partners are now available online. 

The two resources may be used to inform community college program planning processes and guide industry stakeholders in addressing workforce needs.

Key findings from the study include a summary of the skills employers are seeking in new hires, such as power and hand tools, mathematical skills, technical problem-solving, and working knowledge of OSHA standards and practices.  

The study also finds the greatest challenge facing employers is an insufficient pool of qualified workers. Employers who participated in the study reported valuing experience over education, yet there seems to be a disconnect between employers’ understanding that community college training programs often incorporate hands-on experience. 

The Far North COE partnered with COEs in the Bay Area, Central Valley/Mother Lode, and South Central Coast regions on the study. The employer survey was administered by the Center for Economic Development (CED) at California State University, Chico.