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The construction industry is confronted with a critical shortage of skilled trade workers, which greatly hampers its growth and labor productivity. This shortage of workforce mainly stems from a lack of effective strategies for recruiting and retaining students in construction programs, which can be addressed by fully understanding major factors that influence student decisions to pursue a career in the industry. This study investigated the perceptions and opinions of students on developing a long-term career in the construction industry. The study data were gathered by surveying students enrolled in construction trade programs at three institutions in Texas. A total of 154 responses allowed for specific examination of the impact of family units and social media on student career decisions, factors leading participants to select a construction program, and participant perceptions of the construction industry. For unbiased analysis, the collected data were stratified by socioeconomic descriptions such as demographics and family household composition. The results revealed that skilled trade students have a positive perception of the construction industry. The findings of this study can provide planners and decision-makers with effective strategies for student retention and recruitment in construction trade programs.

The number of Hispanic workers in the construction industry is more than any other industry in US, but they are under-represented in management position. In an attempt to grow the number of Hispanic construction managers, there should first be a growth in Hispanics obtaining construction science degrees. Retention of Hispanic students who could be the future construction professionals is a problem in Construction education. The objective of this study was to explore which of the factors reported by the literature, have the strongest positive effect on Hispanic students in undergraduate construction education programs. In order to identify which factors, have the strongest impact to assist undergraduate construction programs in determining where best to focus retention strategies to enhance Hispanic student success, this study employed the Delphi method. The results of the study showed that “financial aid”, “academic advising”, and “mentoring programs” were the topmost important factors. Additionally, it was found that “Construction-related student organizations” as the least important retention factor on the list. Research in the area of Hispanics in construction education is limited. This study can serve as a basis for future research in Hispanic students’ retention.

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