A Conversation with Labor Commissioner MARK BUTLER

Butler is committed to reshaping the operations of Georgia’s labor department to create valuable workforce solutions through strategic alliances and community relationships.

During an exclusive conversation with AGC Georgia, Commissioner Butler shared his perspective on the construction industry’s role in the State’s employment growth and advice for mining talent from the area, among other key topics that impact Georgia’s progress.

QThe latest employment statistics were positive. What role has the growth in the construction industry played in helping improve employment rates?

A: If you look at the raw numbers, construction jobs have been one of the top growth areas in the state. For example, during the last 12 months, the construction industry has had a growth rate of about 3.6% in jobs, which is almost double the growth rate of the average of all sectors in the state. In fact, it’s the third highest on a percentage basis in growth. So, you’re talking about one of the top growth sectors in the state, and it has been for the last several years. If you look back, the growth really started taking off in construction jobs back in 2012. Since then, we’ve seen a pretty large jump in the total number of jobs in construction. I think it increased over that seven-year period by about 66,000 jobs, which is a tremendous amount for that sector. The construction industry is definitely one of the things that’s helped when it comes to the state’s overall job growth.

QWhat construction trade careers do you see as growth opportunities and why?

A: All of them. It would probably be easier to come up with a list of things that are not than those that are. When we talk to most folks in the construction trades, it’s pretty much demand across the board. Obviously, you need take a look at some of the specialties such as HVAC, electrician, welding, plumbers/pipe-fitters, but you’re also looking at some of your higher end stuff like civil engineers and management. I’ve never had someone come up to me and say “Oh, we have enough of X.” Look, we don’t even have enough day laborers, so we’re pretty much talking the complete spectrum. This includes someone with very little experience to individuals with postgraduate degrees in the construction industry being in demand. But probably your higher-demand jobs are going be in specialty trades, which takes a little more training.

QWhat advice do have for the AGC Georgia members to reach young people and engage them to view the construction industry as a solid career path?

A: First of all, you can’t wait until they graduate high school. You have to reach them way before then. We give this advice to most industries – you need to start engaging your K-12 system at an early point. A lot of people don’t think about that, but K-12 is basically where your talent is going to come from at some point. If an industry is not paying attention to what’s going on – whether it’s a state-wide company or a local company – there’s a need to figure out ways to engage your local school system. Encourage them to provide in-school construction programs.

We’ve seen some school systems that have some type of SkillsUSA event. We visited a school in Northwest Georgia where they have embraced the construction industry and offer everything from carpentry to electrical to plumbing. At a minimum, you’re going to expose these students to the opportunities and what the work is like. What happens when the students get exposed? They reflect and say “you know, I really like doing this.” Otherwise, if they’re not exposed to it, it’s probably not going to come to mind. You have to engage them at an early point and push your local school system to do something to help reach these kids at an earlier age. Whether they realize it or not, if they’re not getting young people interested in some type of vocation – whether it’s being a doctor or a lawyer or whatever it is – they are not doing their job. More and more of those type of activities have to exist. In fact, I think access to construction labs should be a requirement in schools.

QWhat initiatives is your office pursuing that AGC Georgia members should be aware?

A: There are several things they should know about if they don’t already. First of all, we have our Georgia Best Program. It teaches kids work ethics and soft skills that are necessary in all fields. No matter what you do in life, to be successful you have to have really strong soft skills, which are things such as knowing to show up on time, working well with others and other basic skills. We also have a lesser known program that we are working very hard to expand, which is Jobs for Georgia Graduates. This is where we engage young people who are in danger of falling through the cracks, since they’re at high risk for dropping out. So, we help them through the issues that are working against them, help them finish school and point them toward a career. Not only do we help them during high school through graduation, but we also track them for 12 months after they graduate. We want to make sure they’re successful in their next stage, whether that’s going to work, going on to further education or into the military.

QDo you have any words of wisdom for AGC Georgia members?

A: I know everyone is really busy right now, so it’s hard to do, but you really need to do your best to engage your local school systems. Not just as a whole system, but also reach out to the school counselor to make sure they understand the opportunities that exist in the construction trades. There’s a lot of bad information out there. Some people think “Oh, these are dirty jobs that don’t pay well. If you want to be successful, you have to attend college to get a four-year degree.” This is just absolutely false. So, visit your local school and ask to sit down with the school counselors and share the opportunities with them. By educating the counselors, they are able to tell the students what the opportunities are and how they can find them, because these are the individuals who will influence a lot of their decisions. It’s also important to engage with the school board and let them know, “We want to help your students be successful by showing them that are several paths out there where they can be successful and they can have good careers in these fields.” Not everyone wants to sit behind a desk, not everyone wants to attend a four-year school and some have really good talents that are hidden underneath. Once we can expose them to these trades they’ll discover “Wow, I’ve got some talent in this.” My best advice is to connect with your local school system, since that’s where your talent is going to come from. You’ve got to make sure they have a good understanding of what it is you do, what the opportunities are and what the pathways are to get to those jobs. ■