As summer winds down, many of us look forward to crisp mornings, colorful leaves, and the energy that comes with a new season. While summer can be a slower stretch for some industries, construction is in full swing, taking advantage of ideal weather and often keeping the pace right into autumn.
Bringing the Next Generation to the Skilled Trades
Autumn also brings a new school year. Across the country, more schools are expanding their focus beyond the traditional college track by reintroducing courses and programs that highlight the skilled trades. If you’re part of Generation X, you might remember when this was common.
Giving students more than one path to success benefits them — and our industry. Encouraging careers in the trades not only helps address the shortage of skilled labor, but also allows many young people to avoid significant student debt. That means more resources can be invested in homes, communities, and the broader economy.
So, what does this have to do with CFMA and construction financial professionals? A great deal. Our profession thrives when the industry thrives.
There’s a saying that construction isn’t just part of the economy — it is the economy. And by the same measure, construction financial professionals aren’t just supporting the industry — they’re helping drive it forward.
When construction grows, our opportunities grow with it. As leaders, we can attract and prepare the next generation of talent — whether their future is in the field, in finance, or somewhere in between.
Making Construction a Rewarding Career Path
This isn’t only about filling open roles — it’s about competing effectively for talent. And the competition isn’t limited to construction firms. We’re up against every other industry looking to attract bright, driven professionals. The question is: how do we make construction the clear destination of choice?
One answer runs through many of the articles in this issue of CFMA Building Profits: technology. From reducing risk to increasing transparency, technology continues to transform how we work and how we compete for talent.
AI is central to today’s conversations across industries. While it will change aspects of our jobs, it also creates real opportunities for those with curiosity, adaptability, and the drive to innovate. In the right hands, technology can inspire the very talent we need to keep our industry strong.
As we settle into fall, consider the role you and your firm can play in shaping the future workforce. This is about more than hiring; it’s about building a vision of construction — including construction financial management — as a dynamic, essential, and rewarding career path.
Because if construction really is the economy, then we share the responsibility for ensuring it remains an industry that the next generation is eager to join.
Copyright © 2025 by the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). All rights reserved. This article first appeared in September/October 2025 CFMA Building Profits magazine.