Chris d Craiker AIA
On November 11th , Veteran's Day, we are reminded of those that have fought bravely for our Country. Both men and women veterans can continue to contribute to our Nation by participating in the construction industry. We all know there is a chronic shortage of qualified personnel in the trades, thus driving up construction prices and lengthening the process. I reported in 2019 that there were 11,000 veterans living in Napa, approximately one in twelve of us served the Nation in our armed services. I continue to maintain that this is an excellent source of qualified personnel to fill our construction industry persistent manpower shortages.
An interesting statistic from the NAHB is the national collective number of construction workers has increased from about 10.5% in 2012 to 12.5% in 2022, and veterans outnumber the total sum of nonveterans in the construction industry. Veterans already have a strong presence building our homes and infrastructure. Another interesting statistic is that the largest share of the veteran in construction are in management, some 43%. The other good news is that the unemployment rate for veterans has declined from 4.4% to 2.8% as of 2023.
200,000 servicemen and women leave the military every year and Veteran's Day is a time for construction industry leaders to consider how to support our veterans as they enter civilian life. Veterans bring skills into a wide variety of industries and can be a vital segment of the construction industry, especially as we transition to AI.
We know that Artificial Intelligence can automate many processes involved in construction projects, making construction work safer and more efficient. Common uses include scheduling, resource allocation planning, quality control, as well as operating and maintenance of heavy machinery. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is dedicated to improving veteran’s emersion in the AI world and how the vets can continue to improve the world after leaving the service. The VA developed a program called Trustworthy AI Framework in July 2023 designed to help Integrate universities and academic resources with the military to cross-pollinate ideas and to get both veterans and the military to better understand the future. If this sounds outlandish, I must remind us that it was this combination of military and academia in 1969 worked on a little defense research program that has changed the world: that little program was later called the Internet.
How many Vets arew trained in AI is difficult to know but nonetheless they have transferable skills that are beneficial to the construction industry. Here are some of their skills:
Team performer: the military is based on uncompromising teamwork and this works on a job site for cooperation among various trades.
Multi-skilled: military veterans are trained in numerous areas and are taught to respond quickly in a battlefield or on a construction site. Veterans are used to working with anything and everything from advanced equipment to complex equipment or systems. Veterans do not have to be super brilliant but have repeatable skills perfect for construction.
Adaptability: military service requires men and women to be prepared for the unpredictable and they must be flexible. As construction progresses, changes occur, veterans are equipped to jump from one task to another. Also, construction is slowly absorbing new technologies such as AI that veterans can bring to the table. Veterans can remain focused, finish complex tasks, discover new solutions and have the ability to change quickly. This is a matter of training and not necessarily high IQ scores.
Organizational skills: construction requires careful planning with multiple moving parts. Veterans are used to juggling complex missions and managing supplies, vendors and job site issues.
Leadership: military veterans are natural leaders and have dual capacity to take orders and lead when situations arise. Leadership skills are crucial even for a carpenter working under a general contractor. It's always a team effort. Construction always requires people to jump quickly and to take leadership roles. Veterans can handle this.
There are multiple ways for contractors to attract veterans. When interviewing veterans, look for more than their ability to swing a hammer but also their experience at a computer or in team building. Often veterans with their military training have teachable skills for other employees. Do not just look for a plumber: look for a multi-skilled and well organize person to do the job.
Hiring Our Heroes, HOH, has been working to create employment opportunities for transitioning service personal as well as their spouse and partners. HOH has developed a pipeline for military connected personnel to get into the business construction industry.
The construction industry is under extreme pressure to change its archaic methods of construction and delivering products and veterans can help. Hiring veterans with AI wisdom is both good business and makes logical sense. Employers can stay ahead of the labor shortage and military men and women can help fulfill the needs.
We must not forget that many military veterans have spouses, partners and family members that have lived through the exact same experiences the veteran has, only they were not on the front line. Spouses, partners and grown children often have the skills and abilities that are also adaptable to construction. Considering spouses and partners and even the grown kids of veterans could help the construction industry grow better. Veterans have a contagious nature about them. Their families and partners are every bit as inbred in the military as the veteran himself.
Chris D Craiker AIA is thankful for those that have served our country and our construction industry.
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