Labor shortage is Achilles' heel

The biggest problem facing the construction industry in Alaska isn't government regulations or lack of work - it's a shortage of trained employees.

Richard Cattanach, executive director of the Associated General Contractors of Alaska, said labor shortages are already affecting the industry.

"I've heard that some contractors are paying above union wages to attract workers," he said. "There have also been reports of projects coming in late because they couldn't get people."

There are several factors contributing to the problem, Cattanach said. One is the school system.

"Our schools train kids for college. They are not training them for the workplace," he said. "Rightly or wrongly, businesses are doing the training."

Cattanach said young people are entering the building trades in fewer numbers, even though the pay after apprenticeship can meet or exceed that of a college graduate, and the retirement benefits are excellent.

The good economy in the Lower 48 means experienced workers