#United States #Washington #National Institute of Building Sciences #Elevate 2025 #Workforce Crisis

National Institute of Building Sciences Hosts Elevate 2025 Summit

To address the growing workforce crisis in the construction industry, the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) is set to co-host a pivotal event, Elevate 2025, on March 4, 2025. This one-day summit will take place at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., along with collaborative efforts from the International Code Council and the National Building Museum.

Understanding the Workforce Crisis

The construction sector in the United States is experiencing a notable shortage of skilled workers, a dilemma that has transformed into a pressing crisis. NIBS CEO Dr. George Guszcza has emphasized that the existing strategies to address this challenge have not yielded significant results, indicating a dire need for innovative solutions. As data suggests, a vital step toward alleviating this gap involves investing in the recruitment and training of women into the industry.

"The workforce shortage across the built environment has evolved from a past problem into today's major crisis and will become a disaster in its own right if left unaddressed," stated Dr. Guszcza.

Event Highlights

Elevate 2025 will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore this critical workforce issue. Some notable speakers include:

• - Aileen Fuchs, President and Executive Director, National Building Museum
• - Stephanie Ferguson Melhorn, Senior Director, Workforce/International Labor Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• - Catriona Winter, Senior Vice President, Clark Construction, among others.

The agenda encompasses various insightful sessions designed to ignite discussions.

Sessions Include:

1. By the Data: Decoding America's Labor Market Shortage – An analytical look at current labor trends affecting the construction sector.
2. Highlighting the Workforce Crisis: The Effects on Post-Disaster Recovery – Exploring how the current workforce shortage impacts recovery efforts.
3. Breaking Ground: Empowering Women to Solve the Labor Shortage – A session dedicated to discussing strategies to engage women in construction roles.
4. Policy Solutions for Advancing America's Built Environment Workforce – Insights into actionable policies aimed at addressing workforce gaps.
5. Fireside Chat with Punchbowl News – An interactive discussion surrounding the future of workforce solutions in the built environment.

In addition to networking opportunities, members of the media are encouraged to attend this summit at no cost. Registration for Elevate 2025 is currently open, allowing interested parties to secure their spots.

About the National Institute of Building Sciences

Founded to foster collaboration among the building industry, labor and consumer representatives, regulatory bodies, and government entities, NIBS serves as a critical institution for identifying and addressing challenges within the built environment. Operating as a non-profit and non-governmental organization, NIBS plays a vital role in advocating for effective solutions to enhance the sector's future. More information can be found on their website at nibs.org. Follow them on social platforms to stay updated on their initiatives and upcoming events.

The urgency for innovative workforce strategies is more critical than ever, as the construction industry continues to grapple with contributing to America's economic growth in a sustainable manner. Elevate 2025 aims to be a transformative moment in tackling this workforce challenge face-on.