Expo Highlighted Growing Labor Demand in Construction

Earlier this year, St. Petersburg College hosted its first-ever Construction Expo at the SPC Midtown Center with live demonstrations, presentations by industry experts, and opportunities to explore different careers. There will be demonstrations of drone technology, field surveying, and Auto-CAD technology.

“Our goal with the Construction Expo was to provide career exposure experience to construction and what it means to be a construction worker. The jobs in construction pay high wages and provide a good opportunity for our students and the community,” said Sidney Martin, SPC’s Program Director of Engineering Technology. “Many people do not realize there are great opportunities to move into management in construction and the variety of jobs available.”

In the next decade, 40% of the current U.S. construction workforce is retiring. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median age of construction workers has risen, and half of construction workers are older than 45 years old. Industry leaders are turning to institutions like SPC to advocate for construction as a career for young students.

Attendees got to explore career opportunities and construction trends but also learn about programs SPC offers in the construction field, such as the Field Survey Technician Certificate that enables students to find entry-level jobs in construction. Students also can obtain an Associate in Science degree in Building Design and Construction Management or a certificate in Sustainable Construction Technology at SPC.