How English Instruction Can Strengthen the Construction Workforce

The construction sector stands at a crossroads of opportunity and challenge. 

Booming infrastructure investment and rising demand are creating record growth, while companies simultaneously navigate labor shortages, technology shifts, and mounting pressure to improve efficiency. 

Nearly 500,000 additional workers are needed to meet demand, and 65% of home builders report ongoing labor shortages, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. Meanwhile, 63% of construction CEOs say they can’t find qualified managers—even though leadership-ready workers are already on their job sites. 

As one industry leader put it, “we can’t hire our way out of this shortage — we must build our own workforce.” 

For many skilled workers, what stands in the way of advancement isn’t ability or experience. Instead, it’s a systemic but solvable barrier: English proficiency.

This insight emerged as a key theme at two recent construction industry conferences. EnGen attended both events to engage with industry partners and discuss how best to invest in the current workforce.

English Instruction Built for Construction

Platforms like EnGen offer job-specific English training that helps workers gain the communication skills they need to:

  • Work safely and efficiently

  • Understand instructions and documentation

  • Lead crews and supervise worksites

  • Interact confidently with clients, inspectors, and managers

By removing English barriers, employers can promote from within, build a leadership pipeline, and reduce costly turnover.

Beyond Language: Building a Workforce People Want to Join

Construction workers today are looking for more than a job: They want career pathways, stability, and meaningful growth. English instruction plays a key role in helping workers achieve these goals. By improving communication, confidence, and access to training, English skills help workers take full advantage of the benefits and advancement opportunities employers provide.

Key strategies supported by English programs include:

  • Paid training and certification programs

  • Competitive wages and comprehensive benefits

  • Safe and supportive workplace cultures

  • Long-term mentorship and apprenticeship pipelines

When workers can fully participate in training, navigate benefits, and grow into leadership roles, everyone wins—including employers, teams, and the industry as a whole.

Proven Impact: English Upskilling That Works

EnGen’s results show the real-world value of job-specific English instruction:

  • 94% of learners felt more confident using English at work

  • 93% saved time on the job

  • 92% improved their job skills

  • 84% said they would stay with their employer because of the benefit

  • 79% achieved a career goal such as a promotion or pay raise

These outcomes speak directly to what construction workers—and employers—need most: safer job sites, stronger teams, and long-term retention.

A Call to Action for Construction 

The construction industry has an opportunity to meet its workforce needs not just by hiring new talent, but by investing in the people already doing the work. English instruction is a powerful—and often overlooked—tool to unlock that potential.

As the sector continues to adapt, those who prioritize inclusive growth and skill-building will be best positioned to weather the labor shortage—and build a stronger, more resilient workforce for the future.

Learn how English upskilling with EnGen can work for your organization: https://getengen.com/contact-us 

Sara McElmurry