By Mike Brewer, Founder & CEO, Brewer Companies and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing; and
Todd Sanders, President and CEO, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
A wise man once said, “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes- then learn how to do it later.“ That’s why now is the time for hardworking Arizonans with a commitment to showing up on time and a strong desire for a great career, to seize the day and enter the construction trades.
As the Founder and CEO of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and the Brewer Companies, Arizona’s largest plumbing company, with over 350 hard-working team members averaging annual wages of $55,000 each, and the President of the Greater Phoenix Chamber, Arizona’s largest Chamber of Commerce representing over 2,400 businesses, we know that those in the construction trades are well positioned to take care of their families and navigate the economic challenges ahead for our nation.
With all that is unfolding due to COVID-19; public school closures, take-out-only restaurants, and travel-related industries struggling due to health and safety concerns, many hard working Americans are now asking, “where can I get a job that allows me to work, make a great living, take care of my family, and stay employed during this impending economic crisis?” The answer is clear… the construction trades!
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued a declaration describing “essential services,” on businesses that may remain open even with a stay at home order declared. The construction trades are on the list. Arizona continues to attract more people to our state, which will produce a demand for housing and commercial projects in the future. It’s a great place to live and raise a family.
Construction continues to be a key economic driver for Arizona. We continue to see demand for roads and infrastructure, office and industrial space, and housing. Construction is key to stabilizing our economy during this time of uncertainty, providing stable employment across the state.
Whether plumbing, painting, dry-wall, or roofing, the largest crew on the average new home construction site is just 5 workers. That means not only are the construction trades a great career for those who enjoy sunshine and being outdoors, but it’s also an ideal career path for a new reality where our government and policymakers are asking us to practice “social distancing.”
Arizona currently has tremendously more demand on housing sales than the labor to fill it. Interest rates are at an all-time low, providing many families the opportunity to take advantage of home ownership with low mortgage rates–many for the first time. One leading home builder in the AZ market recently opened a new model home complex and had 95 potential buyers show up for nine available homes. The subdivision had over 100 lots to build on, but due to labor constraints, they were only able to offer 10% of them for sale.
Arizona currently has a HUGE backlog of sold homes, which has builders metering the homes they have available to sell. Builders are now setting expectations for both the buyers on delivery time, but also their trade partners, slowly feeding them a steady flow of work. Even in today’s “new” environment, if half the buyers stayed home, we would have more demand than finished homes available to sell.
Arizonans need opportunity and the home building industry needs workers. No college degree is required, just simply a commitment to arrive on time, work hard, and learn.
If you know someone who is interested in learning about a career in the skilled trades, ask them to visit BYFAZ.org (Build Your Future Arizona) to find out about the great careers available in the industry.
Mike Brewer is the Founder & CEO of Brewer Companies & Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and President of the Arizona Subcontractors Association of Arizona and can be reached at Mike.Brewer@brewercompanies.com.
Todd Sanders is the President & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber and may be reached at tsanders@phoenixchamber.com.
