Walk onto any jobsite today and you’ll see the challenge: crews stretched thin, veteran operators training rookies and managers trying to figure out how new technology fits into the mix. As we approach 2026, the construction industry’s workforce pressures aren’t easing up; they’re evolving.
The good news? You don’t have to face these changes alone. At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas, the largest construction trade show in North America, contractors will find sessions, demos and peer conversations designed to tackle these challenges head-on.
Here are five of the most important workforce trends shaping the industry in 2026 and where to explore them at the show.
1. LABOR SHORTAGES AREN’T GOING ANYWHERE
Despite historic federal infrastructure investment, the construction workforce isn’t growing fast enough to meet demand. Associated Builders and Contractors estimates the industry will need to attract 499,000 additional workers in 2026 just to keep pace with demand.
With 41% of current construction workers expected to retire by 2031, making long-term talent pipeline strategies is more critical than ever. A 2025 AGC and NCCER survey found that 92% of US construction firms struggle to hire qualified workers and these shortages remain a leading cause of project delays.
Where to find solutions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026:
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The Workforce Track will feature recruiting and retention strategies from industry leaders.
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The Community Zone is the perfect spot to reconnect, share updates and plan your next move with peers from across the industry.
Cross-generation teams can become a competitive advantage, blending experience with innovation.
2. GENERATIONAL COLLABORATION WILL DEFINE SUCCESS
Today’s jobsites bring together up to four generations: Baby Boomers who haven’t retired, Gen X and Millennials running operations, and Gen Z entering as apprentices. Each group brings strengths; but also different expectations.
Generational tension shows up in everything from communication style (face-to-face vs. text alerts) to technology adoption (paper checklists vs. drones). But handled well, cross-generation teams can become a competitive advantage, blending experience with innovation.
Where to find solutions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026:
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Industry leaders will help you bridge generational divides in sessions on Generational Leadership and Employee Retention, How to Navigate Conflict and more.
3. UPSKILLING AND RESKILLING WILL BE MANDATORY
As machines get smarter through electrification, automation and AI, companies can’t just hire more people. They need to invest in upskilling the people they already have. Deloitte’s 2025 Engineering & Construction Outlook notes that skill mismatches are a growing bottleneck.
Training isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some workers learn best hands-on, others with short videos, others in formal classes. Contractors who can adapt training methods will see stronger adoption of telematics, safety tools and new equipment.
Where to find solutions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026:
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Shop Talks & Walks will give attendees hands-on exposure to maintenance, troubleshooting and operator training.
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Major OEMs will demo semi-autonomous paving equipment and next-gen telematics systems, providing live opportunities to see what skills will be required. Check out the Exhibitor Directory to discover solutions.
4. RECRUITING IS GOING DIGITAL FAST
If you’re still relying only on word-of-mouth or local job boards, you’re missing where the next generation looks for careers: online. Younger workers are scrolling TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for day-in-the-life job content, and construction influencers are drawing millions of views by sharing their stories.
A recent Washington Post article showed how tradespeople are using TikTok to raise the profile of skilled jobs and attract peers to the field. At the same time, reports show Gen Z is increasingly bypassing traditional college for skilled trades when they see transparent career growth and purpose in the work.
Where to find solutions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026:
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Influencers and contractors who’ve built brands online will share how to showcase your culture and opportunities in ways that resonate with the next generation in sessions like Building an AI-Ready Team and Building a Construction Brand Online.
5. WORKER EXPERIENCE MATTERS MORE THAN EVER
Pay isn’t enough to keep your workforce where they are. Retention increasingly depends on culture, safety, benefits and a sense of purpose. Younger workers rank growth opportunities, flexibility and purpose-driven culture among their top priorities.
Attracting and retaining a diverse workforce will require leaders at all levels who want to listen and learn to discover what matters most to each individual.
Where to find solutions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026:
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The EmpowerHER Workshop is a two-day program designed to inspire, educate and connect women leading the industry forward.
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Strategies to attract and retain your workforce will be shared in sessions like Beyond Recruitment and Turn Your Team Into A Championship Team.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The workforce challenges of 2026 will not be solved all at once. Labor shortages, generational differences, training gaps, digital recruiting and workers’ wellbeing will keep reshaping how contractors build and lead their crews.
That’s why CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 matters. It’s where you’ll not only see the latest equipment but also hear the strategies, meet the leaders and discover the resources that can help you strengthen your workforce.
The takeaway is simple: the future workforce isn’t something to wait for; it’s here now. And in Las Vegas, you’ll find the tools to meet it head-on.
Still looking for that perfect holiday gift for the construction professional in your life? Consider a ticket to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026! There is a package for everyone on your list from Show Admission to Premium and Workshops. And the On-Demand option is a great stocking stuffer, allowing access to sessions after the show ends.
Photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK/BOGDAN PICTURES
