Factors Impacting Hispanic High School Students and How to Best Reach Them for the Careers in the Construction Industry

ABSTRACT

The shortage of skilled workers that the construction industry is currently experiencing can be attributed to the negative public perception of construction careers. This study describes the perceptions of Hispanic 11^th grade high school students toward the construction industry based on elements such as demographics, family unit impact on decision-making, and information sources for decision-making. In particular, this study identifies and prioritizes barriers that prevent a student from pursuing a career in the construction industry. Data was collected through a survey administered to Hispanic high school juniors attending public high schools in five cities in Texas. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. It was found that low wages, dangerous and dirty conditions and family unit disapproval are the main perceived barrier that prevents students from pursuing careers in the construction industry, respectively. In addition, the study proposed efforts that would be effective in overcoming the perceived obstacles and increasing the awareness of construction careers.

KEYWORDS:

• Capacity building
• construction career awareness
• construction industry perceptions
• Hispanics in construction
• workforce development