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Dennis Hoffman said the stats look steady for those working throughout the Metro East as general contractors, heavy
construction and special trades.
Every two years, the IDES makes projections based on fourth quarter numbers in terms of total bodies working in specific
sectors of the Metro East economy.
At the close of year 2000, for example, in Southwestern Illinois there were 12,167 individuals working in these three
construction sectors combined. Hoffman said the IDES' latest projection calls for a 12.9 percent increase by year 2010, or an
increase of 1,572 workers.
Of that total increase, general building contractors are expected to rise by 10.1 percent or 351 workers; general
contractors (excluding building contractors) should see an increase of 11.0 percent or 169 workers; Southwestern Illinois'
special trade contractors are expected to increase in number by 1,052 workers or 14.7 percent in the next seven years."We've
had excellent construction employment over the past 10 years, both residential and commercial," Hoffman said. "There has also
been a significant amount of school construction in the Metro East during the past five years, along with major roadwork."
And although Illinois FIRST dollars have nearly run their course, Hoffman said, massive road projects such as the Illinois
255 expansion - from Wood River through Alton and Godfrey and to Jerseyville - promises continued activity and demand for
heavy construction workers.
"MetroLink has been another catalyst that has kept these construction sector numbers strong for several years running," he
said.
What type of impact will the ebbing of major projects like MetroLink have on projected Southwestern Illinois construction
workforce numbers for 2010?
Hoffman said such major, multi-year projects are not weighted heavily in the process of developing longer-term employment
projections.
"In my crystal ball, the continuation of the commercial work - such as what's occurring at Interstate 64 East and Green
Mount Road - will continue to increase as Southwestern Illinois' development progresses, and that gives us confidence that the
demand for our region's construction workforce will remain healthy," he said. "There's also a tremendous amount of work out
there right now for residential construction workers. Just look at all the new homes under way in O'Fallon and Shiloh. Good,
dependable, skilled workers are as much in demand in the Metro East as they ever were."
Those working in the specialty trades will find equally as many opportunities for commercial and residential work in
Southwestern Illinois, Hoffman said.
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"Our specialty trade employment numbers are strong," he said. "Many of these specialty trades will continue to find work
under the giant umbrella of new mega-projects."
Informal but longstanding alliances between specialty trades workforces and general contracting firms account for a visible
correlation between the increasing numbers of working general contracting firms and individuals employed in the specialty
trades such as HVAC companies.
What does the overall increase in Southwestern Illinois' construction workforce mean in terms of the region's present and
future identity?
Hoffman says IDES' stats are evidence that the region is still making a successful transition into the service industry and
away from heavy manufacturing.
"Southwestern Illinois has a lot going for it," he said. "But that transition is not over by any means. The Metro East's
transition out of heavy manufacturing and into service has been happening since the 1960s and 1970s. To its credit, this area
has held onto its manufacturing base longer than many other areas of the country have."
Literacy is a tangible factor in today and tomorrow's Metro East workforce, especially for those individuals who remain in
the heavy manufacturing industry.
"A lot of the literacy issues come down to continual advances in technology," Hoffman said. "Where a manufacturer once had
five men working the line, now it has one man and a machine. It does take better reading skills and comprehension to run a
machine that may do the work of three to four men, compared to the past, where one lower-skilled worker completed the task
through repetition. In general, all workers are having to demonstrate a higher level of literacy."
Whether a worker is trained as a laborer, a machine operator or a worker in another skilled trade, downsizing of the
workforce presents hurdles for those who are laid off and need to learn new skills.
"As threatening as it is to people who are employed and are having to learn these skills to keep pace with the technology
driving their industry, think how tough it is for those who've lost their job, are 50 years old and need to climb the learning
curve in a hurry to find new employment," he said.
editor/publisher: Kerry Smith
email: ksmith@ibjonline.com
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