The construction industry will look very different in 10, 20 years from now than it does today. Those changes have already started. Just how the industry will look as those changes begin to occur will depend on how we adjust and react to those changes. Will we be visionary? Will we be resourceful? Will we be adaptable?

The demographic changes affecting our industry are already happening. The skilled workforce is becoming more and more reflective of the city's diverse population. Not too long from now that will lead to new leaders. What will their agenda's be? Will they be more or less flexible in making the changes necessary to ensure the market share the "new" building trades members will work in?

For contractors, new leadership has already assumed the mantel of some of the major construction companies in New York? Will they be as active as their predecessors with their respective contractor associations? If not, how will that affect the ability of those organizations to impact public policies in the construction industry?

The new leadership will be more likely to want to change the way business is conducted. Will their respective union leaders be willing to continue the strong labor-management partnership that has resulted in increased market share over the last few years?

For contractor associations, unless we find a way to recruit the minority and women-owned firms that will exist in the future we will spend a great deal of time talking to ourselves about how strong we used to be.

The next decade will change the construction industry we now know. How it will change will be determined on the answers to the questions above.

Louis J. Coletti
President and Chief Executive Officer
Building Trades Employers' Association

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