As construction workforce shortages intensify across the U.S.,
Carolinas AGC (CAGC) and the
CAGC Foundation are renewing their commitments with expanded educational initiatives and proactive strategies tailored to the needs of North and South Carolina. “Our workforce challenges are unfortunately not going away any time soon,” said Dave Simpson, CAGC President & CEO. “That’s why we’re focusing on programs that don’t just address today’s shortages, but also prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities. By strengthening pathways into the trades, we’re trying to build a pipeline of talent that will sustain the construction industry for decades.”
National Context: Workforce Shortages Driving Project Delays.
According to AGC of America’s 2025 survey released August 28, 2025, an overwhelming 92% of construction firms report difficulty filling open positions—a statistic mirrored across both salaried and craft roles. Workforce shortages are now cited as the leading cause of project delays, with nearly one-third of firms impacted by immigration enforcement issues
North Carolina: Persistent Shortages, Targeted Solutions
The 2025 NC Workforce Survey highlights the scale of the challenge:
Full Reults Here
- 92% of firms have openings for both salaried and craft positions—and nearly the same proportion report difficulty filling them.
- Critical unfilled roles include superintendents, project managers/supervisors, safety, estimating, accounting, engineers, and IT personnel in salaried categories.
- Craft shortages include laborers, equipment operators (heavy/cranes), mechanics, concrete workers, and carpenters.
- Worker reliability, qualifications, credentials, and transportation issues are cited as significant hiring barriers.
- Firms are implementing digital hiring tools, career-building programs, visa options, and online outreach.
- Training enhancements include pay increases, upskilling opportunities, career pathing, and tech-based learning tools.
- 42% of NC firms report project delays attributed to worker shortages.
South Carolina: Similar Trends, Stronger Responses
The 2025 SC Workforce Survey reveals:
Full Results Here
- 81% of firms have salaried openings and 86% have craft openings—with equally high difficulty in filling them.
- Hard-to-fill salaried roles include superintendents, project managers, estimating, safety, engineering, accounting, and IT.
- Craft shortages include laborers, equipment operators, mechanics, truck drivers, concrete workers, and surveyors.
- Hiring challenges: no‑shows, unqualified applicants, missing credentials, transportation gaps, and lack of flexibility.
- Firms are leveraging software tools, unemployment agencies, career‑building programs, visas, and digital outreach.
- Training and benefits strategies mirror NC with pay raises, professional development, online learning, and career path planning.
- 52% of SC firms report staff shortages as the cause of delays or scaled-back work.
CAGC + CAGC Foundation’s Strategic Response in 2025
- Expand Hands-on Training: Grow and adapt Construction Bootcamps across North Carolina, adding more Spanish formats and Western North Carolina locations to quickly equip participants with trade and safety skills.
- Deepen K–12 Outreach: Strengthen partnerships with schools through Be Pro Be Proud, and expanded Lane the Loader™ literacy initiatives.
- Forge Pathways from Education to Work: Align Bootcamp and CTE graduates with employers through apprenticeships, mentorship, and direct placement pipelines.
- Support Diversity and Retention: Increase access with scholarships, and employer retention tools to better support underrepresented groups.
- Refine Through Data: Use ongoing AGC workforce survey results and participant feedback to continually measure outcomes and improve programs.
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