Immigration Policy and the U.S. Shortage of Construction Workers in the Skilled Trades

Abstract

The problem addressed in this research was the current shortage of skilled trades workers in the U.S. construction industry. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences and perceptions of construction contractors regarding locating skilled trade workers in the context of current immigration policies. With tightened immigration policies, and fewer documented and undocumented workers available to do skilled trade work, understanding the strategies, economics, and timelines contractors are face could provide timely information necessary to understand and mitigate the social, economic, and cultural effects of current policies. The framework for this study was based on Piore’s dual labor market theory. Data were collected via semistructred interviews with a sample of 10 construction contractors. Thematic analysis revealed 11 subthemes related to the three research questions, including qualities of immigrant workers, shortage of skilled trade workers, reasons for shortages of skilled trade workers, problems with available workers, immigrant workers are the backbone of construction, shortage is driving costs upward, shortage is causing financial loss, possible solutions to shortages, policies have no negative effects, depends on political administration, and construction will continue to suffer shortages. Findings from this study echoed those reported by previous researchers, and aligned strongly with Piore’s dual labor market theory. Findings from this study reveal construction contractors are struggling to locate the workers they need to fill jobs. Solutions are urgently needed in the form of policy change and the development of guest worker programs aimed at skilled trades workers.