December 2015 Vol. 70 No. 12
Newsline
Industry Coalition Addresses Workforce Challenges
The Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) is forming a multi-industry alliance to recognize and assess problems in relation to workforce capacity challenges faced by the energy construction sector, where instability is expected to strain the financial resources, leadership and personnel within the utility construction industry.
The new coalition effort, “Who Will Do The Work?” is launching this effort during a time when Congress is recognizing workforce challenges in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
The venture will be led by Continuum Advisory Group, a management consulting firm that works with stakeholders in both the construction and energy sectors. Continuum predicts the oil and gas industry will continue investing resources into new and replacement pipeline infrastructure, ensuring that a qualified workforce will be a top priority.
The company anticipates pipeline replacement programs, legislation and regulation at the federal and state levels, low oil prices, growth in the housing market, impacts of hydraulic fracturing and pipeline capacity challenges are leading gas utilities to continue to implement replacement programs leading to significant capital construction spending growth.
“To their credit, lawmakers are giving special consideration for assistance to employers looking to bring displaced and unemployed workers back into the energy and manufacturing workforce,” said Rob Darden, DCA’s Executive Vice President.
The initial phase of the new industry is now underway – DCA and other industry partners are currently identifying additional stakeholders that may be interested in participating. The group is evaluating hot spots across the country where labor markets are particularly challenging, as well as the types of labor needed.
As soon as a wide-ranging coalition is established, the group will begin to address workforce challenges facing the industry over the next decade.
“The American energy renaissance and the many players working in it have served as the key to America’s economic recovery since the downturn in 2008,” Darden said.
“The industry should be doing everything possible to make sure enough of the right people are there to get the job done.”
For more information:
www.dcaweb.org
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