According to a recent report by the National Association of Home Builders, the median age for construction workers in Alabama is between 41 and 42 years of age, reflecting an aging construction workforce, while contractors find difficulty in recruiting younger people to the sector.

"As an industry, we are faced with many challenges, but none more important than acquiring and developing our craft labor," said Shealon Layfield, general superintendent of BL Harbert International.  "A large percentage of the current, qualified workforce is nearing retirement age, and bringing in new, skilled craft workers is more critical then ever."