Construction leaders must assure younger contractors that our industry endures, no matter what political headwinds come our way.
By Shandon Harbour, President & CEO of ABC San Diego
Here we are once again, another government shutdown. We naturally get nervous when the federal government stops working. Building projects will experience delays and disruptions, and there’s no telling how long it will continue.
But here’s what’s also true: Even if governmental programs stall, the jobsite doesn’t. Our crews still show up, our apprentices continue their training, and our projects keep moving. What’s more, as we struggle with supply chain issues, labor shortages, tariffs, and political gridlock, the younger generations are watching how we handle these crises.
That includes Gen Zers who are just now joining the workforce. As we discussed in September’s Beyond the Build, they’re called the “Tool Belt Generation” because many of these young people are going into the trades and forgoing college. Veteran contractors might dismiss these youths as inexperienced in life, but that’s hardly the case. These young people grew up with the Great Recession, COVID lockdowns, and inflation. They saw how their families were affected when the country was hit by one crisis after another.
Their response? Enter the trades. Not just for a paycheck, but for purpose, community, and an enduring career – a career that offers the most promising and clear path forward. This outlook is underscored by Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang who said in a recent interview that there will be an unprecedented building boom as more large-scale data centers come online, opening career paths to young people who have graduated from trade schools.
Still, the lens of Gen Zers is shaped by skepticism, and so they’re looking to the older generations for mentoring, leadership, and guidance.
Here’s what construction leaders can do for younger generations in this moment:
- Explain the Cycles
Walk them through past shutdowns. Show them how projects and people bounced back. This builds context and confidence. - Emphasize the Trade Advantage
Unlike some industries, construction doesn’t fold up when Washington takes a recess. Roads still need paving, hospitals still need repairs, housing still needs building. Stability is one of our selling points. - Create Belonging in the Chaos
Culture becomes glue when uncertainty rises. Keep routines alive, check in one-on-one, and make sure Gen Zers feel seen – not just as “new hires,” but as teammates weathering the same storm. - Highlight Resilience as a Skill
Make it clear: adapting to change is part of the trade, just like learning to wire a circuit or set forms. Gen Z values skills they can use, so frame resilience as one more tool in their belt.
This month, we recognize the different generations that make up our diverse and dynamic industry from the Boomers to Gen Z. The first installment of our Member Stories series features an HVAC company that has figured out a way to bridge generations to bring about positive business outcomes. It’s not only the work that continues through political storms, but our commitment to working together. And as funding fights escalate in D.C., Gen Zers need to hear from the older generations that the trades are built to last.
So let’s show the younger folks how to remain calm and stay the course. Lead with a steady hand and inspire them to see that our industry offers a truly meaningful career – one that is resilient against whatever headwinds come our way.