The construction industry is staring down a labor shortage of 439,000 workers in 2025. And that’s just to keep up with demand.
Add to the challenge a shrinking labor pipeline, with more than 25% of construction workers expected to hit retirement age in the next decade. The foreign-born workforce is under tremendous pressure—in 2023, 25.5% of construction workers were immigrants, with 13% lacking U.S. work authorization.
With fewer skilled workers entering the field and an aging workforce looking for the exit, contractors need to take proactive steps to recruit, train and retain talent—or risk project delays, rising costs and lost opportunities.
Enter Gen Z, the “Toolbelt Generation”
With college costs soaring and job security top of mind, Gen Z is increasingly turning to the trades—earning them the nickname, “The Toolbelt Generation.” According to a 2024 study by Thumbtack, 55% of Gen Z is considering a career in a skilled trade over a traditional four-year college experience.
But there’s a catch: Wages alone won’t win them over. For contractors to meet these evolving workforce expectations, they need to offer more than a paycheck. According to a recent Deloitte survey report, this emerging workforce is also in search of work-life balance, career growth and modern jobsite conditions.
Creating an environment where workers feel valued is a powerful way to stand out from status quo and attract, recruit and retain younger workers who value a positive employee experience. That starts with creating a work environment where they’ll want to keep coming back, day after day.
In an intensely competitive labor market, high-quality, modernized work environments are not employee perks. They’re strategic investments in worker safety and wellbeing—with ripple effects impacting every aspect of an organization, including recruiting and retention.
Upgrade Sanitary Facilities: A Little Respect Goes a Long Way
According to a survey by Bradley Corp., 83% of workers say restroom conditions reflect how much their employer values them. Yet in construction, porta potties have long been the norm, installed without a thought to the choice or what a jobsite’s hygiene facilities say about company values. Of course, portable toilets are unavoidable on some jobsites. But alternatives exist—and they’re particularly well-suited for larger, longer-term projects.
Portable and climate-controlled restrooms, like trailers or containers, can be equipped with running water, active ventilation and air conditioning, going a long way toward improving worker comfort and hygiene. But even without utilities access, most portable solutions are designed for compatibility with generators and grey-water tanks. For younger workers new to the austerity and even harsh conditions on some remote worksites, these upgrades have the potential to tip the scales.
Establish Cleanup and Comfort Stations
Construction work is physically demanding, often leaving workers covered in dirt, grime and even hazardous materials. Onsite cleanup stations with showers, changing areas and lockers offer employees a more dignified way to transition from workday to home life. The oil and gas industries have already adopted solutions such as these to improve worker morale in challenging environments.
Showers and changing stations outfitted with lockers allow employees to securely store personal belongings, eliminating concerns about leaving valuables in vehicles or makeshift jobsite areas. Amenities like these support today’s workers while signaling to potential hires that construction sites can offer professional, well-maintained work environments that can compete with amenities they might find in other careers.
Accommodate a Diverse Workforce
As the construction industry actively recruits more women and underrepresented groups, worksite facilities are going to have to evolve to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce. Currently, women make up 14% of the construction workforce, a figure that’s expected to continue rising as targeted recruiting and training initiatives gain traction. Yet, many jobsites still lack adequate accommodations, and that can send the unintended message that women are an afterthought, rather than valued members of the team.
Employers who really want to build greater inclusivity into the worksite need to get proactive. Raising the bar for female workers starts with designating separate, well-maintained restrooms and locker rooms for women—supporting their sense of personal privacy and comfort. Ensuring facilities meet federal regulatory requirements, including OSHA mandates for sex-specific restroom access, is a minimum standard.
In accordance with the PUMP Act, nursing mothers working in jobs covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act are guaranteed breastfeeding protections, including a private space that is not a restroom, shielded from view and intrusion. (Unlocked stockrooms and vehicles don’t qualify.) For construction sites, portable lactation rooms with electricity, refrigeration and sanitation supplies can help keep nursing mothers safe, healthy, comfortable—and on the team.
Add Proper Break Areas
Instead of leaving workers to eat lunch in their vehicles or beneath whatever shade they can find on site, employers can invest in portable break rooms outfitted with air conditioning, heating, tables and seating. These spaces improve morale and reduce fatigue-related accidents, which can lead to costly errors and safety violations.
Equipping break areas with Wi-Fi access, charging stations and bulletin boards for company updates and safety alerts reinforces a culture of engagement and awareness. A comfortable place to pause and rest can help workers recharge more than their mobile devices.
When employees feel valued, they’re more likely to stay, period. Does that help keep turnover costs down? Absolutely—and along with the stability of a more experienced team, it’s hard to underestimate the value of feeling valued.
Cost of Investment vs. Cost of Turnover
Upgrading jobsite facilities requires an upfront investment, but potential long-term savings can be substantial. Replacing a skilled worker typically costs about 20% of their salary, on average. Construction firms struggling to keep workers due to subpar jobsite conditions don’t need to be convinced that the costs add up fast.
Modular, movable facilities—modern restrooms, break areas, comfort stations, showers and lockers—can be reused across multiple projects. This drives down per-site costs and multiplies ROI with every deployment.
Creating a Competitive Edge in Workforce Recruitment
Attracting and retaining the next generation of construction workers is going to require more than competitive pay—it’ll require investments that improve workers’ safety, dignity, privacy and wellbeing. An industry whose future depends on attracting a more diverse workforce should prepare to make adjustments. Gen Z workers are raising the bar for modern standards of on-the-job safety, respect and comfort.
The Bottom Line?
Jobsite facilities improvements aren’t a luxury; they’re a smart investment in a tough labor market. Attracting and retaining skilled construction workers transcends wages; it requires a proven commitment to workplace quality. Companies that prioritize modern facilities and worker wellbeing gain a more satisfied workforce—great for their employer reputation. They enhance site safety, reduce turnover and elevate the construction industry as a potential career interest. By investing in practical, people-focused infrastructure, contractors set themselves up for long-term success as the workforce transforms.
SEE ALSO: MENTORING GEN Z: AN INTERVIEW WITH A YOUNG NEW ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
