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The CSI Community Connect Forum is the go-to resource where you can connect with architecture, engineering, construction and owner (AECO) peers in real-time, keep up on current events, get informative professional insight, and even share interesting information about yourself.
Currently, there are three conversations discussing how CSI, the AECO industry, and individual firms can recruit new talent and appeal to a larger demographic of the emerging workforce.
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Along with threads discussing, “Thoughts from a Specifications Intern,” and, “Why Young People Should Consider a Career in the Construction Industry,” is a conversation about “Recruiting Young Specifiers,” which began as a roundtable discussion at the 2022 CSI National Conference in Denver.
The conversation, sponsored by RIB Specifications Software, asked attendees to, “Please share your thoughts on: Recruiting Young Specifiers/Labor Shortage.” Here are some of the replies:
If you wait until students graduate from high school or college, you’ve waited too long to deeply influence them. Out of high school may net some interest, but I have known since my youth that people must be influenced at a very young age if you are going to consciously direct them into one profession over another. I think the Let’s Build Girls Camp is the best idea CSI has produced to influence youngsters into a career in the trades. When the program was announced, I immediately jumped on the bandwagon and am hoping to start a camp here in Tacoma, WA in 2024.
Clifford Marvin | Professional Content Designer
The term “Young Specifier” is probably not useful. The very nature of specification writing requires a solid body of industry experience gained through one or more practice channels over a period of time. A number of successful senior specifiers began their work life in architectural firms as non-professional track drafters and administrative staff. They kept growing and gaining knowledge and eventually took over the specification writing practice in their firms. Many specifiers are architects who gravitated toward specializing in this subset of architectural practice because of their abilities to focus on technical topics. In either case, the specifiers moved into this role because they saw career opportunity and enjoyed the work.
I began focusing on specifications in the first architecture firm I worked in because 1) I recognized that while appreciating quality design, I did not have any special talent or preparation for becoming a design-focused architect, 2) I had worked in construction and knew about building stuff, and 3) I saw that no one in the firm was doing specification writing well. Along the way, I discovered the nearby CSI chapter, learned about and took the CDT, then the CCS and CCA; undertook teaching these courses, and finally focused directly on specification practice.
Philip Kabza RA, FCSI, CCS, AIA, SCIP
Thank you, Philip, from one of those administrative staff who saw an opportunity to assist our firm and grow personally and professionally. CSI—and firms—need to think outside the, “architects as specifiers” box, and encourage those who aren't trained in architecture but want to advance within their firm and gain new skills. I don’t pretend to understand everything and always remind our architects that it’s not my seal on the specifications, but I take a big load off their shoulders as we work through design. CSI has been invaluable in helping me learn how to say it once and say it right!
Karen Wood CSI, CDT
We would love to hear your thoughts on this important issue. Please add your voice to the conversation here. https://www.csiresources.org/discussion/breakfast-discussion-roundtables-recruiting-young-specifierslabor-shortage?ReturnUrl=%2fbrowse%2fallrecentposts