The Gen Z Construction Revolution: How the Next Generation is Solving America’s Building Crisis
While the construction industry faces unprecedented challenges in 2025, a surprising solution is emerging from an unexpected source: Generation Z. These statistics highlight a top construction trend in 2025: addressing the labor shortage in construction. Hiring and retaining new talent is the only way to complete existing contracts on time and create a pipeline of new talent to meet growth targets. But what makes Gen Z different isn’t just their youth—it’s their unique combination of digital fluency, environmental consciousness, and pragmatic career outlook that could transform the industry.
The Perfect Storm: Why Construction Needs Gen Z Now
The construction industry is facing a crisis that demands immediate attention. The U.S. construction sector is projected to require an additional 439,000 workers in 2025 to meet demand, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Meanwhile, nearly 1 in 4 construction workers is over age 55, which means retirements are rapidly whittling away at the workforce. This demographic shift is creating opportunities that forward-thinking companies, including local firms providing Excavating Services Saratoga County NY, are beginning to recognize and capitalize on.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. The funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is further increasing the need for skilled workers to fill construction roles. McKinsey estimates that in 2028, the industry will be facing a shortfall attributable to the BIL of more than 160,000 workers in the contractor and subcontractor sector, 145,000 workers in the materials sector, and 40,000 workers in the engineering and technical services sector.
Breaking the College Myth: Gen Z’s Pragmatic Approach
Unlike previous generations, Gen Z is questioning the traditional college-first mentality. The problem could that we as a nation have told students they need to go to college and get an advanced degree to be successful. This has discouraged young workers from even considering a career in construction. However, this mindset is shifting as Gen Z witnesses the financial burden of student debt and recognizes the earning potential in skilled trades.
The Forage reports that 70% of Gen Zers prioritize pay/salary as a top aspect they want from their next job. Construction offers exactly what they’re seeking: competitive wages, job security, and clear career advancement paths without the crushing debt of a four-year degree.
The Digital Native Advantage
What sets Gen Z apart is their innate understanding of technology. Digital skills are essential for jobs in the construction industry, which is good news for tech savvy, Generation Z. A whopping 91 percent of respondents said that digital skills are essential to be successful. And nearly two-thirds of respondents said that about half the candidates possess the needed technology skills, which indicates Gen Z applicants are likely to be highly sought and valued.
This technological fluency is crucial as the industry undergoes digital transformation. The wide adoption of drones, for instance, is facilitating precise surveying even when surveyors are not physically present. Companies have also experimented using drones for efficient inspection, inventory management, monitoring progress, and collating real-time information. Gen Z workers don’t just adapt to these technologies—they excel with them naturally.
Sustainability Meets Opportunity
Gen Z’s environmental consciousness aligns perfectly with construction’s sustainability push. Young individuals today are increasingly concerned about environmental issues. The construction industry’s push towards sustainable practices, including energy-efficient designs, green materials, and renewable energy integration, aligns well with this mindset. Highlighting how technology is making sustainable construction a reality can attract environmentally conscious workers who seek meaningful and impactful careers.
This isn’t just feel-good marketing—it’s a business imperative. According to the 2024 Green Building Global Industry Report, the green building industry is predicted to reach $851 billion (€814 billion) by 2028, owing to rising public awareness of climate issues and environmental sustainability.
Redefining Workplace Expectations
Gen Z is reshaping workplace culture in ways that benefit the entire industry. Gen Z prioritizes flexibility in where and when they work. They value the ability to have control over their work schedule, remote work options, and a healthy work-life integration. While construction has traditionally been site-based, smart companies are finding ways to incorporate flexibility through project management roles, remote planning, and hybrid positions.
Matt Rosentreter, Talent Generation Manager at employee-owned construction leader Burns & McDonnell, says Gen Z talent is especially important to diversity progress. “GenZ is one of the most diverse generations to ever enter the workforce,” he explains. “Their unique perspectives and diverse skill sets will be critical to addressing the upcoming challenges facing the construction industry.”
Local Impact: The North Carolina Advantage
North Carolina is uniquely positioned to benefit from this Gen Z construction revolution. The state’s growing economy, infrastructure investments, and educational institutions create an ideal environment for attracting young talent to the construction industry. Local companies are already seeing the benefits of hiring younger workers who bring fresh perspectives and technological skills to traditional excavation and construction projects.
The state’s community colleges and technical schools are responding by expanding their construction programs and emphasizing the technological aspects of modern construction work. This educational ecosystem helps bridge the gap between Gen Z’s expectations and the industry’s needs.
The Path Forward
To successfully integrate Gen Z into construction, companies must adapt their recruitment and retention strategies. To address these challenges, construction firms are: Investing in Workforce Development: Many companies are expanding apprenticeship programs and vocational training partnerships to attract new talent. Leveraging Technology to Fill Gaps: Robotics, automation, and AI-assisted construction techniques are helping to increase efficiency in response to labor shortages. Enhancing Retention Strategies: Employers are focusing on competitive wages, benefits, and career development opportunities to retain skilled workers.
The companies that succeed will be those that recognize Gen Z not as a challenge to manage, but as a solution to embrace. Top employers are already turning to Gen Z to help them meet those goals, and Gen Z is answering the call. It’s clear that early-career professionals are poised to make a profound impact on the construction industry, and we can’t wait to watch their work unfold.
The construction industry’s future isn’t just about new technologies or sustainable materials—it’s about the people who will use these tools to build tomorrow’s world. Gen Z represents more than just a workforce solution; they’re the architects of a construction revolution that will reshape how we build, work, and think about the industry itself. The question isn’t whether Gen Z will transform construction, but how quickly the industry can adapt to harness their potential.