Many of the schools needing repairs are in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, which is where most contractors will focus their attention. But, the need is just as important in rural school districts where contractors see smaller contracts, less profit, more travel expenses and fewer trained workers. And later this year, the demand for workers will be stretched as several new power plants west of Phoenix start construction. This comes on top of the glut of commercial construction across the Valley.
Phoenix is a major concern.
One said the state should consider offering bonuses or adding temporary housing and RV parks in rural Arizona to entice workers to the jobs that will be needed there. Even the man in charge of the School Facilities Board's massive repair program is concerned about worker shortages. He said, however, contractors active in rural Arizona have assured him they can do the work and will have the needed employees. For the past 16 months, Geiger's office has overseen inspections of 1,210 schools in 202 districts. Bids on much of the other work will start going out in early June.