Building for the Future: Immigrant Skills Acquisition in North Carolina’s Construction Industry

Nichola Lowe

Department of City and Regional Planning

Jackie Hagan

Department of Sociology

43,414 56,667 76,726

153,488

383,465

506,206

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

1970 1980 1990 1994 2000 2004

Source: Kasarda & J ohnson. 2006. The Economic Impact of the Hispanic P opulation on the State of North Carolina

Growth of Latino Population in North Carolina, 1970-2004

Skills Contribution of Latino Immigrant Workers

Presumed unskilled because of low education levels

Ignores:benefits for businesses that recognize

and advance immigrant skillsimpact on social mobilityobstacles to skill development

North Carolina Latino Workers by Industry, 2004: 1 Construction

41%

12%11%

9%

8%

6%

4%4% 2% 2%1%

Construction

Wholesale and Retail Trade

Manufacturing

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, andHuntingProfessional and BusinessServicesLeisure and Hospitality

Education and Health Services

Other Services

Financial Activities

Transportation and Utilities

Information

Source: Kasarda & Johnson. 2006. The Economic Impact of the Hispanic Population on the State of North Carolina

Employee Mobility in Construction and Building Trades

Career ladders developed through apprenticeships and training programs

3 - 5 years: laborer to journeymen Union and non-union sites Is this also the case for Latino

immigrants?

Research Questions

What skills do Latino immigrants bring with them and acquire on the job?

Under what conditions are these skills recognized, advanced and rewarded by U.S. employers?

What role do mediating labor market institutions (e.g. unions, industry associations, work centers, colleges) play in immigrant skill development?

Does skills recognition and advancement facilitate opportunities for social mobility, as evidenced through higher wages, greater job stability and entrepreneurial activities?

Research Design

In-depth interviews200 immigrant workers50 employers 30 institutional

Analysis of construction industry trends: 1970 to present

Data set analysis: American Community Survey and others

Immigrant Skill Development Pathways

Pathway 1 Clear advancement

opportunities Active employer

participation in learning Skills mentoring/training Replicates

apprenticeship model Wage increases and

promotions

Pathway 2 Few advancement

opportunities Self-guided learning Solitary and isolated

not social and interactive

Skill development not tracked

Most common

Dimension 1: Tacit Knowledge and Hidden Skills

Know-how gained through hands-on experience

Formalized through apprenticeships Can reinforce hidden immigrant skills

and talents

Dimension 2:Employer - Employee Distance

Social networks used to hire immigrants Also reproduced at worksite Use of mid-level immigrant interpreters Not empowered to promote fellow

immigrants on the basis of skill

Dimension 3: Loss of Institutional Support for Skill Development

Union standards have waned New institutions not well connected to

employers and immigrant community Subcontractors are small sized and

resource constrained

Policy Suggestions

Why? Social mobility and skills crisis National immigration policy Local institution building

Questions and comments