Why Residential Construction Is Struggling to Attract the Next Generation
Summary
Mike Holmes discusses the challenges facing the residential construction industry in attracting young talent, highlighting a labor shortage, educational gaps, and outdated perceptions that hinder career interest in skilled trades.
Why It Matters
The residential construction sector is crucial for economic growth, yet it faces a significant labor shortage exacerbated by a lack of awareness and educational opportunities for young people. Addressing these issues is vital for ensuring a sustainable workforce and maintaining the quality of construction in the future.
Key Takeaways
- The construction industry faces a labor shortage due to declining interest from younger generations.
- Educational institutions have reduced hands-on trade programs, limiting exposure to skilled trades.
- Parental and societal narratives often discourage careers in construction, impacting youth perceptions.
- While fewer young people enter the trades, those who do tend to be highly passionate and committed.
- The lack of regulation and mentorship in the industry creates challenges for newcomers.
Why Residential Construction Is Struggling to Attract the Next Generation By Mike Holmes Mike’s Advice / Holmes on Homes Podcast Expert Advice Thursday, February 12th, 2026 @ 11:56am The Construction Labor Shortage The residential construction industry doesn’t just have a labor shortage—it has a perception problem, an education gap, and a cultural challenge that’s been building for decades. While demand for skilled trades remains strong, fewer young people are choosing construction as a career. This has serious consequences, which is evident on job sites across North America. I spoke with several of my builder associates, Brice Bernskoetter from Bernskoetter Construction, Mac Frame, from Frame Custom Homes and Andrei Sosonovski, from Sosna Inc. in a recent podcast and here’s what they are saying about the construction labor shortage. Let me break it down for you. A Labor Shortage Years in the Making Unfortunately, this struggle has been brewing for a long time. The lack of young people entering the trades isn’t new. Governments and organizations such as WorldSkills, SkillsUSA, and Skills Canada have spent years promoting skilled trades as viable and rewarding careers. Yet the numbers still don’t add up. As experienced tradespeople retire, there simply aren’t enough new workers coming in behind them. How did this happen? The Trades Disappeared from the Classroom One of the biggest reasons is exposure—or the lack of it – and I’ve been talking about this for years....
