As California's construction industry forecasts a remarkable $14.5 billion in projects for the upcoming year, the Construction Owners Summit (Co-Summit 2024) emerges as a timely platform to address one of the sector's most pressing challenges: the growing labor shortage. Set for November 21 at Santa Clara University's Locatelli Center, this event promises to connect industry leaders with the next generation of construction professionals.

Co-Summit 2024 - Click here to register for the event

Meeting Industry Demands

"We're about to see a huge boom in the construction industry," explains Caroline Raffetto, events manager at Lumber (a construction workforce management platform) and editor of ConstructionOwners.com.

In an exclusive interview with KTVU, Raffetto highlighted the urgent need for new talent in the sector. "There are projects, there's everything in the works, but if we don't have anyone to do those projects, AI is not going to do them for us. We need the real boots on the ground."

The Technology Evolution

While the industry maintains its foundation in hands-on work, technological advancement, particularly artificial intelligence, is reshaping traditional processes. "At Lumber, we use AI to automate tasks that were once manual, such as payroll, time tracking, onboarding, and HR," Raffetto explains. "Tasks that once took someone a good amount of time are now being done in five to ten minutes at most."

Event Highlights

The half-day summit, running from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, features:

• A comprehensive job fair and networking expo
• Panel discussions on career paths and industry innovations
• Keynote sessions from industry leaders
• Demonstrations of cutting-edge construction technologies

Notable speakers include Juanita Douglas from Rising Sun Center for Opportunity and Misha Homara, CEO of TriCore Panels, alongside industry leaders from BuilderFax, Pegbo, Swinerton, and Construction Contract Coach.

Co-Summit 2024: Check the Agenda

Interview with Caroline Raffetto: Industry Insights

Q: How can an event like this help someone who might be thinking about a career in construction?

A: In this type of event, we're not only bringing in job seekers, but it's also really open and tailored to students. So having it at a university makes it really easy for them to come, and we're about to see a huge boom in the construction industry. So getting all that new talent out there is very, very important."

Q: Why should someone pick a career in the construction industry?

A: Well, I could give you a million reasons. We could sit here and list them out, but you know, it's a really great industry and the community, especially in the Bay Area for the construction industry is just so incredible and so supportive, so I urge everyone, if you're thinking about it, just do it.

Q: What is the construction outlook for California?

A: "We're definitely going to be seeing a lot of those residential properties, also a lot of company properties and other types, but we're looking at a forecast of about 14.5 billion for the upcoming year, as opposed to other years, it was about 10 billion. So definitely a big jump."

Q: What is the role of AI in the construction industry?

A: It's definitely a new role, and it's still evolving, but so is the whole industry. So, for example, at Lumber, we use AI to automate tasks that were once manuals, such as payroll, time tracking, onboarding, and HR; all these tasks that once took someone a good amount of time to do are multiple people, now we're being done quickly. Five minutes, 10 minutes at the most. So it's really opening up new opportunities to get out there and build, do what we want to do."

Q: Do you feel like it would be a requirement for job seekers to have some sort of background in the tech world, in artificial intelligence?

A: If you're going into that role, it would be helpful, yes, but there are many other roles where that kind of experience is not required; but definitely knowledge of it would be a little helpful since we're seeing the industry go in that direction."

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges in the industry moving forward?

A: It's actually funny you mentioned that one of our biggest challenges right now is the labor shortage. There are projects, there's everything all in the works, but if we don't have anyone to do those projects, AI is not going to do them for us. It can only take us so far. We need the real boots on the ground."

Q: Are we going to see more of this sort of recruitment effort from construction companies?

A: Yes, I believe so. I think that's what we're going to be seeing. Especially with Lumber the CO summit, and the construction summit. This is an event that we want to start replicating, hopefully in other cities, to bring that community together and get that community jobs as well."

Looking Ahead

With California's persistent housing shortage and increasing development needs, the construction industry offers stable, long-term career prospects. The Construction Owners Summit 2024 represents more than just a job fair—it's a gateway to an industry actively seeking fresh talent and ideas.

The event is free for college students in the greater Bay Area, and registration opens at 8:00 AM on November 21 at Santa Clara University's Locatelli Center. With the construction forecast jumping from $10 billion to $14.5 billion in the upcoming year, there's never been a better time to explore opportunities in this dynamic field.

For more information about the summit and to view the complete agenda, interested participants can visit the event website or register directly at the venue.