To hear comments with Brian Turmail, Vice President of Public Affairs & Workforce at the Associated General Contractors of America:
The following is an AI Generated summary of Brian Turmail's comments:
Challenges in the Construction Workforce
Turmail discusses the decline in vocational education investment and the lack of a dedicated visa program for construction workers, leading to a shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry.
Turmail suggests reinvigorating domestic vocational training and creating a construction-specific visa program.
Economic Contribution of Construction Jobs
Turmail highlights the economic benefits of construction jobs, noting they pay significantly more than average non-farm jobs and do not require college debt.
Policy Recommendations for Workforce Improvement
Turmail recommends increasing funding for vocational education, establishing a temporary visa program for construction workers, and providing a path to legal status for undocumented workers contributing to the economy.