Why Should Owners Recognize Workforce Investment When Selecting Contractors?

Restoring the Dignity of Work – Recommendation #3: Making Investment Part of the Value Proposition

What factors are considered by construction project owners when selecting contractors? While safety, cost, timeline and performance history are all common elements, owners should also look at investment in workforce development when evaluating bids.

Contractors who invest in training and apprenticeships will have safer and higher-skilled craft professionals. These contractors are also benefiting the greater industry by developing the future of the construction workforce. As steep labor shortages continue to impact projects, companies who are actively contributing to recruiting and upskilling the next generation should be recognized.

Incentizing investment in workforce development through procurement decisions can help to expand adoption of critical training programs, encouraging needed changes in our national workforce systems.

NCCER makes the following workforce development policy recommendation in its 2026 report, Restoring the Dignity of Work:

• Measure Performance and Involvement in Workforce Development When Awarding Construction Contracts: Assess construction firms’ commitment to workforce development and the quality of their program, much like the industry does with safety.

To learn more about this and other recommendations to realign education, industry and government workforce initiatives, download Restoring the Dignity of Work: Revitalizing the U.S. Workforce Development System to Build the Future.