How Apprenticeships Empower Adult Learners and Bridge the Construction Workforce Gap

With half a million new workers needed in 2025 to meet construction industry demands and 94 percent of contractors struggling to fill open positions, the labor shortage is more than a looming threat, it’s a present crisis. Compounding this issue, NCCER research concluded that approximately 41 percent of the current construction workforce is projected to retire by 2031, intensifying the urgency to cultivate a new generation of skilled professionals. Without strategic solutions, such as more apprenticeship programs, the talent pipeline will not keep pace with demand and critical infrastructure and development projects will suffer.

A Solution Built for Adult Learners

Adult learners must be recruited for and integrated into the solution. They represent a powerful, untapped workforce—individuals often motivated by the need to support their families and eager for sustainable, rewarding careers. But this population juggles many financial and time responsibilities. To make it work, training for a new career must not incur debt and must be paid. Apprenticeships fit both of those requirements.

Construction apprenticeship programs provide hands-on training that allows adult learners to earn while they learn. They can maintain much-needed financial stability while acquiring new skills that will lead to even greater stability. Across all industries, upon completion of an apprenticeship, individuals can expect an average annual salary $22,000 higher than the national average salary. These financial benefits of apprenticeships can offer adult learners new opportunities to overcome systemic barriers and achieve upward mobility. An apprenticeship also represents just the beginning of a construction career path, with room for continued progression and leadership opportunities.

A Mutual Benefit—Employer Get Return on Investment

And of course, these programs don’t just benefit workers: They deliver real, measurable value to employers. According to the Department of Labor, companies investing in apprenticeships experience a remarkable 90 percent employee retention rate after program completion. Workers who complete apprenticeships are more engaged, more loyal and better aligned with company culture.

And when looking at financial ROI, the median estimate says for every dollar invested in an apprentice, the employer ultimately earns $1.44 in benefits. This gain comes from increased productivity, reduced turnover costs and stronger workforce reliability. By bringing adult learners into apprenticeship programs, companies not only fill immediate labor gaps but also build a resilient, long-term workforce to help future-proof their operations.

How You Can Help

The construction industry doesn’t just need to talk about the labor shortage—we need to act. Here’s where different leaders can make a difference:

If you’re an educator:
Start building pre-apprenticeship opportunities into your adult programs. Partner closely with local contractors and workforce boards to create direct pathways from training to employment.

If you’re a contractor or workforce leader:
Leverage tools like NCCER’s Apprenticeship Guide to understand how to launch or expand programs that work for your business model.

If you’re a policymaker or influencer:
Advocate for policies that fund apprenticeship pathways, remove barriers to entry and recognize apprenticeships as a primary solution—not just an alternative—to workforce development.

If you’re an adult looking for a change:
Know you don’t have to choose between learning and earning. There’s a path into construction that respects your time, rewards your effort and builds a better future for your family without financial sacrifice.

We don’t just need more awareness of the workforce problem — we need a solutions-first mindset that embraces apprenticeships as a practical, proven path forward. Apprenticeships equip adult learners with the skills to succeed, allowing companies to build reliable talent pipelines and strengthen communities by offering meaningful career opportunities to those who need them most.

The construction labor shortage isn’t going away on its own. We have the solution in our hands. It’s time to scale it, support it and secure the future of our industry through apprenticeships.

Ready to make a difference? Explore apprenticeship solutions now with NCCER’s Apprenticeship Assistance.