The Construction Worker Shortage In America: Public Views On The Problem And Potential Solutions

By CLC, The Construction Leadership Council, via JK Strategies and TechnoMetrica | February 04, 2025

The Construction Leadership Council, via JK Strategies and TechnoMetrica, present the findings of a bipartisan survey conducted to analyze the ongoing shortages of construction workers in the United States. The report also explores the potential of various programs aimed at filling these job gaps.

Key Findings - Overview

As workforce shortages and immigration challenges continue, Americans broadly support targeted solutions. However, there are significant bipartisan differences in intensity and focus. These findings show that the public prioritizes practical visa programs and stricter border enforcement to address labor and policy concerns.

  • Worker Visa Programs: 55% of Americans back worker visa programs for essential jobs, with Democrats showing the strongest support (65%) compared to Republicans (49%) and Independents (52%). Republicans lead in opposition at 37%.
  • Short-Term Agricultural Visas: 60% support these programs, with 71% of Democrats lending support, followed by Independents (57%) and Republicans (54%). Opposition among Republicans is highest at 32%.
  • Prioritizing Critical Building and Infrastructure Programs: Over three-quarters (78%) consider it important to address workforce shortages, which are delaying vital building and infrastructure projects.
  • Builder-Specific Visas: Two-thirds (64% ) support short-term visas for builders, with Democrats strongly favoring these programs (76%), followed by Republicans (59%) and Independents (59%).
  • Border Enforcement: 75% of Americans favor stricter immigration enforcement, with overwhelming Republican support (91%), strong backing from Independents (70%), and significant agreement among Democrats (68%).
  • These findings highlight the public’s demand for solutions that balance workforce needs with robust immigration enforcement, reflecting the varied partisan perspectives on the path forward.
  • Support for a limited short-term visa program to address the construction labor shortage is strong across both sides of the border enforcement debate. 67% of enforcement supporters and 69% of opponents back the measure, with opposition low in both groups (22%). These findings highlight a broad recognition of the need for practical workforce solutions.

Read the Full Report

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) is an invitation-only forum regularly gathering to discuss the latest legislative and regulatory challenges, hear from key Administration, Hill and infrastructure leaders, serve as an industry-wide collaboration forum, and seek creative opportunities to advance priorities.

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