More Green Construction Looming in California, Fewer Layoffs Expected

Following the generally surprising news of heightened demand for green buildings (both residential and commercial) amid a sluggish housing market, the board of directors of the California-based Build It Green got a major boost early this year when three green-building and energy-efficiency leaders agreed to come aboard. The new directors—Carol Roberts of Energy Inspectors, Anne Lee of the Energy Coalition, and Joshua Brock of San Diego Gas & Electric—live and operate in Southern California communities, where, coincidentally, Build It Green has noted increased demand for its initiatives.

Their joining Build It Green portends a green future for California’s construction sector.

The strengthening of the market for green construction, especially in a dull housing market, is important news for contractors, particularly those who have already finished their continuing education contractor (or contractor CE), who have gotten long in the tooth waiting for the sector to boom again.

Roberts is the green programs director at Energy Inspectors, a position that has enabled her to help project teams for many builders and developers attain certification through such programs as LEED for Homes, GreenPoint Rated, and Energy Star.

Lee is the director of projects of The Energy Coalition, a nonprofit group that puts together sustainable energy partnerships with local authorities, their communities, and the energy utilities that service them.

Brock is program advisor for San Diego Gas & Electric in the Local Government Partnerships Program, coordinating with public agencies across SDG&E's service territory to implement energy-efficiency programs.

Meanwhile, the year 2012 is starting out right for workers in the construction sector. Based on the survey by the Associated General Contractors of America and Computer Guidance Corp., much fewer construction firms are planning to lay off employees this year than at any time in the last few years.

For much of the industry, that means a stronger demand for retrofits and new construction—good news for contractors, especially those who have already finished their continuing education contractor (or contractor CE).

The survey results, to be included in the 2012 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, indicate that though the construction outlook is mixed, many contractors are anticipating expansion in bellwether private-sector market segments.
Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's CEO, noted that only 9 percent of the surveyed firms in 2012 are planning to shed manpower this year, compared with 37 percent in 2011 and 55 percent in 2010. Even better, 32 percent of the firms report that they plan to add new people in 2012, half of them saying they are hiring six or more new employees in the next 12 months.

For instance: 57 percent of firms (the highest percentage among all states) in Wisconsin expect to hire new staff this year, while 16 percent of firms (the least among all states) in Virginia plan to add staff in 2012. On the other end, some 18 percent of firms in Missouri plan layoffs this year, the highest percentage of any state; South Carolina reported no layoffs this year.

To help enable contractors to meet the incoming market demand, training providers such as IndustrialInstitute.com provide the continuing education contractor and contractor CE programs that contractors need to renew their licenses.