Shortage of qualified construction talent may be due to lack of awareness, according to Baker College dean

The shortage of qualified professionals in Michigan for construction jobs ranging from estimators to project managers may be due to a lack of awareness about the great long-term career potential, according to Anca Sala, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering at Baker College.

Sala is responding to two reports by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Nearly 80 percent of respondents to an AGC survey of Michigan contractors believe the difficulty in finding qualified construction professionals will continue or increase during 2017.

Another AGC report, this one based on data from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reports construction hiring is up nationally – with employment at its highest level in January since 2008 – but it is being hampered by the lack of qualified workers for hourly and salaried positions.

“These reports show that employment prospects are promising for graduates with bachelor’s degrees in construction management,” Sala said.

Baker College’s Allen Park campus offers a bachelor’s in construction management.

“Construction management is a personally rewarding and highly paid career,” Sala said. “These skilled professionals are the go-to men and women responsible for keeping construction projects on time and on or below budget.”

The BLS estimated the annual median pay in 2015 for construction managers was $87,400 nationally and $88,980 in Michigan.

“The Baker College program is unique because it is taught by experienced industry professionals,” Sala said. “These working professionals bring real-world perspective to classrooms, helping students gain the abilities and knowledge necessary to collaborate with project owners, architects, engineers and public agencies, while managing the onsite activities of contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.”

Graduates are prepared to wear many hats in the construction industry involving construction project management, cost estimating, construction safety, project planning/scheduling and contract administration.

The program focuses on critical thinking and blends management with technology and liberal arts. Courses provide the depth and breadth of knowledge required to manage construction projects from start to finish.

“On the technical side are subjects as different as accounting, construction document analysis and advanced building technologies,” Sala said. “Equally important are courses focused on soft skills such as effective leadership, writing, public speaking and time management.”

For more information about the Baker College construction management program, contact admissions at steven.peterson@baker.edu, 313.425.3700 or visit www.baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1911, Baker College grants doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as certificates in diverse academic fields including business, health science, engineering, information technology, education and human service. Baker College has on-ground campuses throughout Michigan and offers online programs that can be completed 100 percent online without ever visiting a campus. In 2016, the Online Learning Consortium recognized Baker College Online with the OLC Quality Scorecard Exemplary Endorsement, the highest ranking for online higher education programs. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.