building for the future: immigrant skills acquisition in north carolina’s construction industry...
TRANSCRIPT
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