Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls remains in the midst of a housing boom, and that means more workers are needed to swing a hammer and bring those homes to life.
Corey Johnson with the Home Builders Association tells KELO Radio's It's Your Business "everybody's busy right now and we are all lacking employees," and that problem extends beyond the Sioux Empire.
Johnson made his comments in reaction to news that Sioux Falls is employing more construction workers now than it ever has. And while workers who are being re-hired after being let go last fall from seasonal work may play a role in those numbers there's no denying the need for skilled labor.
"It gets kind of old running ads, but you go through and you have to spend that money [to] get your name out there in front of people." Said Johnson, adding that it's not just his company that needs the workers but many of his competitors are in the same position. Johnson went so far as to challenge the Sioux Falls School District to bring back shop and carpentry classes. "We have carpentry programs, but we are trying to get shop back in school."
"Everybody go out there and pound the Sioux Falls School District. Tell them we need to get shop back in school. For that to not be in Sioux Falls is just ridiculous," Johnson added. He went on to praise the work that Harrisburg has done with their shop classes, and talked about how the state's technical schools have produced many good workers for the industry.
"You know the four year degree; it's not set for everybody. Let's get these kids in a two year program, get 'em out, and get 'em pounding nails. It's a fun, fun business."