How to Survive—and Thrive—Amidst a Labor Shortage

Nov 18, 2025

Construction firms across the country are struggling to overcome widespread labor shortages. Earlier this year, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the industry needs an additional 500,000 skilled workers to meet demand.1 After decades of education systems encouraging alternative paths over once popular construction and manufacturing careers, these crucial segments of the American economy are lacking much-needed tradespeople among younger generations.

If your construction firm is struggling to assemble the crews needed for traditional construction projects, the solution may be to change your building medium. Metal building systems require smaller crews, and projects can be completed faster! Read on to learn how to weather the labor shortage—and increase profits—by adding metal building erection to your firm’s capabilities.

A strong solution

Metal building systems save clients time and money. Compared to traditional construction methods, metal buildings are quicker to complete and more predictable to erect. And, due to the bolt-up framing method, metal buildings can be assembled with a significantly smaller crew than traditional field fabrication and modification methods.

Consistency saves time

Metal buildings are engineered and manufactured as a system rather than individual parts and pieces. On site, a small crew can develop a rhythm and make substantial progress each day, leading to a faster erection process. While a shipment of warped framing lumber or cracked bricks could lead to unexpected downtime with conventional building methods, precise detailing practices ensure a metal building system fits together seamlessly. This precision manufacturing results in a uniformity of pieces that simplifies the training process for crews. Further, seasoned professionals, willing to travel, and organizations that source qualified talent, make assembling and training crews easy.

Add to your bottom line

Once these metal building crews are assembled and trained, you’ll be well positioned to scale your operations faster and more efficiently. A simplified construction process makes it easier to complete more projects each year. More projects, predictable timelines and lower crew expenses translate into higher profits for your business.

Paving a path forward through a historic labor shortage requires vision. Adding metal building capabilities to your operation is not only smart from a labor standpoint but also has the potential to add to your bottom line. So, before your next project begins, connect with the Vulcan Steel Structures team to see how we can help you rise to the challenges of today and succeed well into the future!
Are you ready to begin your next metal building project? Contact us today. With 40 years of experience in the industry, you’ll be partnering with experts who can bring your vision to life!

1“Skilled Labor Shortage in Construction: How to Close the Gap” American Institute of Constructors, May 12, 2025. https://aic-builds.org/skilled-labor-shortage-construction