A critical shortage of skilled construction workers is putting mounting pressure on housing and infrastructure development across New Hampshire and Vermont, according to industry leaders. During a recent segment of NH Business on WMUR, Josh Reap, President of the Association of Builders and Contractors of NH and VT (ABC NH/VT), and Daryl Luter, President of Fulcrum Associates, spoke with host Fred Kocher about how the labor gap is affecting everything from homebuilding to commercial and highway projects.

“This is a real problem that has only worsened in recent years,” said Josh Reap, addressing the current state of the labor force. “We’re at a point where we don’t just have a shortage—we have a crisis in the skilled trades across New Hampshire and Vermont.”

Workforce Gap Threatens Housing and Transportation Goals

Reap emphasized that the labor shortage is limiting the pace and affordability of new housing construction, while also slowing progress on crucial commercial and public infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges. The problem, he noted, is especially urgent given rising demand for housing across both states and a push for upgrades to aging transportation networks.

“Contractors are turning down work because they don’t have enough qualified people to do the job,” Reap explained. “That’s not just lost business—it’s lost opportunity for communities that need housing, economic development, and safe roads.”

Daryl Luter, whose Amherst-based firm Fulcrum Associates specializes in commercial construction, echoed those concerns.

“We’re constantly battling to staff our projects with experienced workers,” Luter said. “It’s not just about today’s jobs—we’re trying to build the pipeline of talent that can carry the industry forward.”

Barriers to Recruitment and Retention

Both leaders pointed to several factors contributing to the shortage, including an aging workforce, declining interest in trade careers among younger generations, and inadequate training infrastructure. Many seasoned construction workers are nearing retirement, and not enough new workers are entering the pipeline to replace them.

“Too many young people still see construction as a fallback rather than a career with real opportunity,” Reap said. “We need to flip that narrative.”

To combat the issue, organizations like ABC NH/VT are investing in education partnerships, apprenticeship programs, and outreach efforts to build awareness about the benefits of careers in the trades.

Regional Efforts to Reverse the Trend

In New Hampshire, the governor’s office and state workforce boards have partnered with industry groups to fund workforce development initiatives, but Reap says more sustained effort is needed.

“We’re seeing promising starts,” he said, “but it’s going to take collaboration across schools, government, and private industry to make a lasting impact.”

Luter added, “There’s great pride and long-term stability in this profession. Once people get in, they often stay—it’s just getting them in the door that’s the challenge.”

As both Vermont and New Hampshire continue to grow, industry experts warn that without bold action, the skilled labor shortage could become a bottleneck for progress—especially in regions where demand for new housing and upgraded transportation is rapidly accelerating.

Originally reported by Fred Kocher in WMUR.