NKBA “Workforce Development Study” reports labor shortage and impact on kitchen/bath industry

wayland, ma The inaugural Workforce Development Study, released today by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), found that the labor shortage continues to have a significant impact on the kitchen and bath industry, specifically on hiring, start and completion dates, and cost for construction and renovation projects.The NKBA launched this study to examine the labor challenges facing its members and the industry as a whole and to identify where the association and its membership should expend time, effort and money to improve workforce flow and quality.

Installers, carpenters and kitchen/bath designers are among the most challenging positions to fill. Members feel that the workforce shortages are due to a dearth of younger talent coming into the industry, likely owing to a lack of awareness of opportunities in and financial benefits of careers in the trades.

“The shortage of tradespeople will continue to have a significant impact on the United States’ macro economy, and we are concerned with how this shortage is impacting the kitchen and bath industry,” said Bill Darcy, CEO of NKBA. “With this report, we now have hard data and further clarity about how this shortage is affecting our members. We will work with the industry and similar trade associations to focus on attracting strong next-generation talent to take on these important jobs that fuel the economy.

“The study revealed the challenges our members are experiencing in hiring professionals in both design and the trades,” Darcy added. “We believe from the survey results that this issue has worsened in the last two years. Labor shortages have impacted start dates and completion dates on construction and renovation projects, with NKBA members citing delays on 30% of jobs.”

NKBA members recommend increasing awareness around the benefits of these career paths — including income, the steadiness of work, high job satisfaction and the ability to have a flexible work schedule — to the next generation of workers.

The report is available for purchase at nkba.org. Members receive discounts. To obtain a copy of the full report or an executive summary, go to nkba.org/store.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), as part of Design & Construction Week (DCW). With nearly 14,000 member companies representing tens of thousands of members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The NKBA envisions a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional kitchen and bath spaces. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through the creations of certifications, marketplaces and networks.