There’s a shortage of workers in the construction industry.

The Springfield Chamber of Commerce says older workers are retiring, leaving lots of job openings in the skilled trades.

The Springfield Contractors Association represents the commercial and industrial construction industries.

Executive Director Megan Short says there aren’t enough workers to keep up with all the jobs that are available.

She says the industry really needs young people to consider a career in the skilled trades.

“You may have no idea what you want to do. Start out as a laborer, figure out what aspect of construction you like, join an apprenticeship program, and then go up that path all the way into management or anything else.”

Short says you don’t have to go to school to get a good paying job if you consider something in the skilled trades.

“When you start comparing your lifetime earning power and how much money you have when you’re not paying student debt, when you’re immediately making — we’re talking serious wages — then that’s how you’re really gonna build a career for yourself. And there’s still room for growth.”

She says you don’t have to go into debt to have a great career.

“We partner with OTC, Missouri State, Drury, Missouri S&T, all of the local colleges. There are amazing programs that are related to construction. But you don’t have to do that. You can join an apprenticeship program, meaning you actually get paid while you’re working, and learning and going to school. But you can also go straight into the workforce.”

To find out what jobs are available, go to Framing Your Future.