Ciscomani Leads Effort to Address the Shortage of Skilled Residential Construction Workers 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) reintroduced legislation to continue his effort to support the growing workforce of skilled construction workers in order to increase the supply of housing units and lower costs. 

Specifically, the Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural and Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools (CONSTRUCTS) Act (H.R. 1055) would create a grant program to fund and develop residential construction education and certification programs at community colleges, junior colleges, and trade schools. This would expand access to good-paying, high-demand jobs for students, address the shortage of skilled construction workers, and allow developers to build more homes, ultimately lowering housing costs.   

“Owning a home is an integral part of the American Dream, but unfortunately, it has become out of reach for too many,” said Ciscomani. “In southern Arizona, and across the United States, there is a critical need for additional housing. The current shortage of skilled construction workers is driving costs higher and causing project delays, limiting the supply and leading to even higher prices. My bill will expand access to training programs at community colleges, junior colleges, and trade schools in the most in need parts of our country, to bolster the workforce of skilled construction workers, support high-demand, well-paying jobs for students, and increase the supply of housing units in order to make housing more affordable for everyone.” 

Ciscomani was joined in reintroducing the CONSTRUCTS Act by Reps. Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Don Davis (D-NC). A companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).  

In Arizona and nationally, the legislation is being welcomed by organizations that are on the frontlines of the construction worker shortage: Pima Community College, the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders.   

“The CONSTRUCTS Act will enable colleges like Pima Community College to expand training for the construction and homebuilding industry, preparing more skilled workers to meet employer needs,” said Dr. Jeffrey Nasse, Chancellor, Pima Community College. “With highly accomplished graduates, we can improve construction quality, boost productivity, and continue making a positive impact on our students, employers, and our local community.” 

“A shortage of construction workers has had a negative impact on the supply of new housing and further limited affordability for home buyers and renters in southern Arizona,” said David Godlewski, President and CEO of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association. “The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association applauds Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Don Davis, Ryan Zinke and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their bold leadership to tackle this critical issue by sponsoring the CONSTRUCTS Act. This vital legislation directly addresses the lack of workers in the housing sector by expanding opportunities for residential construction training programs at community colleges and technical education schools. This bill will also prioritize recipients who are serving the most vulnerable populations in rural and underserved communities in Arizona and across the rest of the nation.” 

“NAHB commends Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Don Davis, Ryan Zinke and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for championing bipartisan legislation that will help ease the nation’s housing affordability crisis by addressing the severe labor shortage in the construction industry that is delaying home building projects and increasing construction costs, said Carl Harris, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “The CONSTRUCTS Act provides the nation’s community colleges and trade schools the funding needed to train students in trades that support the residential construction industry.”  

Ciscomani’s congressional colleagues say the CONSTRUCTS Act will play an important role in addressing the shortage of construction workers in their states. 

“The housing crisis is putting a lot of strain on Montana families,” said Congressman Zinke. “Put simply, not enough new housing is being built due to a nationwide skilled labor shortage, which is raising the prices on homes already on the market. This legislation will train students to fill those gaps in the market and get laborers on job sites across the country.” 

“To bring down the cost of housing, we need to build more housing – but many communities are facing acute labor shortages in the construction trades. When we invest in fulfilling career pathways in the trades for our young people, it allows us to pick up the pace of residential construction and help hardworking families breathe easier,” said Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez. “When I hear from talented trades students across Southwest Washington, there is a real demand for the career and technical education opportunities that will be supported by our bipartisan CONSTRUCTS Act. It’s how we invest in family wage jobs for our next generation, restore prestige for the skilled trades, and support our rural timber economies.” 

“By investing in construction education and related skills training programs, Congress can create a robust talent pipeline,” said Congressman Davis.  “We must leave no stone unturned as we develop the workforce of tomorrow.” 

Find the text for the bill here.   

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