Study Warns of Labor Shortage

The Indiana Construction Roundtable Inc. recently released the Indianapolis Craft Labor Study which shows that Central Indiana's construction economy is one of the hottest in the nation but warns that severe shortages of construction workers could lead to project delays, cost overruns, and slower economic development.

The report advised Central Indiana's business and government leaders to do more to attract workers into the local construction workforce.

ICR, a nonprofit organization serving construction consumers, commissioned the study by FMI Corporation, a provider of management consulting services in the construction industry.

The study indicates that by 2004 severe shortages will exist across virtually every construction craft and by the following summer the Indianapolis market will be short by 6,500 skilled craft workers.

Among the major projects included in the study are the airport expansion, Indianapolis Public Schools projects, the City of Indianapolis's sewer construction, highway work, new projects at Eli Lilly and Co. as well as many hospital projects.

ICR also announced additional plans to attract workers to the industry. A new Web site is planned to entice young people to a career in construction. It will target high school students as well as out of state workers.

The site will also have resource materials for educators to use that will help them teach about careers in construction. It will also post job vacancies and provide information that newcomers to the area might need such as housing information.
The complete study is posted at ICR's Web site, www.indianaconstruction.org.

'Monumental' Projects Recognized for Beauty

Thirty-five projects were recognized for quality during the 26th Annual Monumental Affair Awards.

The highest award, Honor recognition, was given to six projects, each in a different category: