Abstract
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Current Population Survey, nearly 90 percent of the 10.7 million people employed in the construction industry are white males (2021). This statistic will remain unchanged unless more minorities and females are recruited into the industry. For craft workers, a primary recruitment mechanism is the registered apprenticeship program. This study analyzes the U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Database (RAPIDs) from 2000 to 2019 to identify trends for new apprentices. The study found that there was no change in the proportion of new female apprentices in the previous 20 years and no change in the proportion of new non-white apprentices in the previous 15 years. The researchers also found that while there appears to be opportunity to grow gender diversity in apprentice programs, the current proportion of new non-white apprentices is consistent with the current available workforce indicating little opportunity for increasing racial diversity. The findings of this study will assist the U.S. Department of Labor, apprenticeship program sponsors, and advocacy groups in understanding the impact of diversity efforts over the past 20 years and in preparing effective strategies to move towards diversity in construction trades consistent with the available workforce.
Recommended Citation
Bruce, Richard; Sauer, Aaron; Sells, Patrick; and Bradford, Curtis
(2021)
"Minority and Female Participation in Construction Industry Apprenticeship Programs,"
The Professional Constructor: Vol. 46:
No.
2, Article 5.
Available at:
https://open.clemson.edu/aic-journal/vol46/iss2/5
