The Growing Demand for Electricians in Florida

Construction is on the upswing in Florida. Major building projects in Citrus, Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties are creating jobs for construction workers. ^{1 2} This is an industry where electricians often find work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that there is a greater demand for electricians (47-2111) when construction projects are plentiful. ³

Florida: One of the Highest Employers of Electricians

The job outlook for electricians is excellent. From 2014 to 2024, the BLS predicts job growth will be 14 percent across the country, much faster than the national average. ⁴ Florida is one of the top five employers of electricians in the nation, indicates the BLS. In 2015, 32,160 were employed in the Sunshine State. ⁵

Major Construction Projects in Florida

Citrus County, Florida

Construction of a new combined-cycle natural gas plant is currently underway in Citrus County, Florida. Between 600 and 700 temporary construction workers were to be hired last spring, including equipment operators, ironworkers, welders, pipe fitters, concrete pourers, and electricians. Employment of these skilled workers is expected to peak in 2017.

Broward County, Florida

As of June 2016, Broward County employed 42,800 construction workers in the residential and commercial sectors, 1,800 more than a year ago.

Palm Beach County, Florida

From June 2015 to June 2016, residential and commercial construction positions in Palm Beach, Florida increased by 200.

Miami-Dade County, Florida

New construction of homes, businesses, highways, and bridges added 5,300 jobs in Miami-Dade County, Florida, between June 2015 and June 2016. The county employed 45,400 construction workers thanks to these projects.

Skilled Construction Labor Shortage in Florida

All of these projects have created such a demand for construction workers that some contractors have reported struggling to find qualified job candidates. f demand exceeds supply, the state could experience a skilled labor shortage.

Demographics are one reason skilled labor shortages occur. The Associated Builders and Contractors noted nearly 21 percent of skilled construction workers are 55 and older, with 29 percent between the ages of 45 to 54. ⁶ While this opens the door for young workers to take center stage, without hands-on experience from electrician classes or guidance of an older electrician, their learning curve is typically greater and they may take longer to adjust and get to work on large projects.

Fulfilling the Needs of the Market with Electrician Training

The vocational training programs at Tulsa Welding School are designed to produce top-caliber electricians that can meet the challenges of a growing Florida construction market. By integrating some classroom work with hands-on training, students learn the skills to enter this expanding field.

With faster than expected job growth, qualified electricians can find work in a variety of industries including construction for both residential and commercial projects.