Holliston, MA – Lt. Governor Karyn Polito recently met with industry professionals and educators at the offices of construction manager Colantonio Inc. to discuss ways to educate schools, parents and students about the high-paying opportunities offered in construction and to dispel the negative myths surrounding the industry.
The industry is suffering a major shortage of tradespeople and professionals that will worsen as 20% of the workforce retires over the next five years, especially if the pipeline of candidates to fill those positions fails to improve.
Fran Colantonio with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito
The group agreed that a pervasive misconception about jobs in construction contributes to the lack of students interested in pursuing those careers. Comprehensive high school guidance counselors, parents and students are simply unaware that the industry offers countless high-paying, technology-driven trade and professional careers. Many of these rewarding opportunities do not require an expensive college education.
“It is critical for the health of our economy to address this labor shortage,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “We must involve businesses, trade organizations, and higher education to market the industry to school guidance counselors, students and parents, and develop partnerships for training and employment options.”
The meeting was hosted by Colantonio Inc.’s chairman and CEO Francis Colantonio. Robert Petrucelli, president and CEO and Lisa Frisbie, director of marketing and communications, represented the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts at the meeting.
Other industry reps included Michael Sanchez, chief of construction operations, Shawmut Design and Construction; Janet Chrisos, deputy director, Massachusetts State College Building Authority; and Michael O’Brien, executive VP, WinnCompanies.
Educators Jay Bry, VP of Finance and Administration, Fitchburg State University; and Dale Hamel, Executive VP of the Office of Administration, Finance and IT, Framingham State University also attended along with Holliston High School’s assistant principal Patrick Kelley and guidance counselor Mani Harwich.
