DELIVERINGAMERICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE:INSIDETHE
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INDUSTRYTRENDS& LABORMARKET ANALYSIS
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), the nation requires over50,000newplumbersannuallythrough2031,drivenbybothexpansion and retirements Electricians are projected to grow by 7% within the same period, outpacing the national average for all occupations The shortage is especially acute in states experiencing accelerated demand for real estate andenergyretrofitting[ ](Pollinetal,2024)
Demographic shifts exacerbate these gaps The average age of US plumbersnowexceeds42years,andenrollmentinapprenticeshipprograms remains stagnant. As Elbashbishy and El-Adaway (2024) note, labor supply deficits are causing widespread delays in both private and public infrastructureprojects,addingbillionsineconomicdrag
Skilled trade entrepreneurs have emerged as pivotal to infrastructure continuity. Operating in niche domains such as commercial plumbing retrofitsforhotelsandrestaurantchains,thesefirmsoftenfunctionasboth employer and general contractor They create jobs, maintain compliance across jurisdictions, and execute essential infrastructure under exacting timelinesandcostconstraints.
Source: Guerrilla Economics Dunham, J , & Flaherty, M (2024) Blocked Pipes: The Economic Consequences of Skilled Worker Shortages Retrieved from https://guerrillaeconomics com/wpcontent/uploads/2024/03/Blocked-Pipes pdf Elbashbishy, T , & El-Adaway, I H (2024) Impact of Skilled Labor Shortages on Project Costs Missouri University of Science and Technology https://scholarsmine mst edu/cgi/viewcontent cgi? article=3745&context=civarc enveng facwork
U S Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) Employment Projections https://www bls gov/emp/
POLICYMISALIGNMENTAND IMMIGRATIONGAP
Despite fulfilling critical economic functions, skilled trade entrepreneurs remain under-recognized in public policy frameworks US labor policy disproportionately favors academic and STEM professionals, often neglecting seasoned trade specialists who manage teams, develop regionalsystems,andfillcriticalinfrastructureroles
Bruno Fillipe da Silva exemplifies this profile. A construction general manager with over six years of experience in the United States, Bruno Fillipe da Silva leads a multi-state plumbing and electrical contracting firm servicing large-scale commercial developments, including 300+ unit hotel chains. His teams operate across Massachusetts, New York and Indianapolis, navigating complex compliance requirements, cross-jurisdictional licensing, and subcontractor mobilization His company contributes to infrastructure development in energy-efficient retrofits and housing maintenance, two federally prioritized sectors.
Source: Guerrilla Economics Dunham, J, & Flaherty, M (2024) Blocked Pipes: The Economic Consequences of Skilled WorkerShortages Retrievedfromhttps://guerrillaeconomicscom/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Blocked-Pipespdf Elbashbishy, T, & El-Adaway, I H (2024) Impact of Skilled Labor Shortages on Project Costs Missouri University of Science and Technology https://scholarsminemstedu/cgi/viewcontentcgi? article=3745&context=civarc enveng facwork US BureauofLaborStatistics(2024) EmploymentProjections https://wwwblsgov/emp/
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Bruno Fillipe da Silva’s firm deploys a Just-in-Time (JIT) construction model across states, relying on mobile work crews and digital scheduling systems. This model reduces delay penalties for developers and increases project scalability. His workforce strategies include regional supervisors training, crosstraining in electrical and plumbing disciplines, and agile procurement systems to manage copper and HVAC price volatility
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Such operational models reflect Lean Construction Theory, which emphasizes efficiency, adaptability, and client-value maximization (Koskela, 1992). These are not traditional laborers, but rather systems managers and infrastructure strategists
Expert entrepreneur’s perspective. AnInfrastructure
Howistheconstruction industryevolving,and whatchallengesstand outfromageneral manager’sperspective?
Wearebeingaskedto do more with less meet stricter energy codes, deliver faster, and handle more specialized systems. However, the workforce is not keeping up Skilled trades are aging out. Everymonth,Ihaveto reassign or retrain crews
Whatstrategieshelp youmanagecross-state operationsunderlabor stress?
We systematized everything. From state-specific licensing to mobile scheduling apps I built a core model with regional leads and a database that tracksthelocationof every worker and their licensed job It is about standardization and compliance. 5
Whatpolicybarriers limityourabilityto grow?
Restrictions on who can bid on public projects are a real issue Ihaveworkedon developments that likely fall under public housing or federally backed programs butmycompanyoften gets cut out of direct bids That’s revenue loss and lost opportunity, not just for me, but for the projects
Howhastechnology changedyourbusiness model?
Tech supports execution, but does not replace labor We use apps to track materials, issue invoices, and monitor site progress However, someone still has to install the conduit or fit the plumbing Tech is a tool; labor is the foundation
Source: U S Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) Occupational Outlook Handbook: Plumbers and Electricians Retrieved from https://www bls gov/ooh/construction-andextraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters htm Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) Pollin, R , Chakraborty, S., & Wicks-Lim, J. (2024). Labor Supply and Demand Under New U S Infrastructure Laws University of Massachusetts Amherst https://peri umass edu
Q&A Expert entrepreneur’s perspective. AnInfrastructure
Whatarethetop threatstoyourbusiness overthenextdecade?
Three things: not enough licensed workers, unpredictablematerial costs, and regulatory complexity.Eachstate is different, and the ruleschangefast
Whatwouldbethe impactifyourbusiness couldnotoperateat scale?
Project pipelines would break. Our clients rely on our systems You cannot just find a new crew overnight especially for multistateoperations We arepartofthesupply chain. Without us, delays and cost overruns would spike
Whateconomicshifts areshapingyour operationstoday?
Labor costs are rising ClientswantEV-ready systems Materials fluctuate weekly We adapt by training hybrid workers and stayinglean,butpolicy has to catch up. We are already delivering give us a stable operating environment
Source:
U S Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) Occupational Outlook Handbook: Plumbers and Electricians Retrieved from https://www bls gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters htm Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) Pollin, R , Chakraborty, S , & Wicks-Lim, J (2024) Labor Supply and Demand Under New U S Infrastructure Laws University of Massachusetts Amherst https://peri umass edu
CONCLUSION
The future of American infrastructure depends not only on funding, but on those who deliverit SkilledtradeentrepreneurslikeBrunoFillipedaSilvaaremorethanlabor;theyare integrators of capital, workforce, and compliance. Their under-recognition in policy conversationsisnotmerelyabureaucraticoversight;itisamissedopportunityfornational progress.
If America is to restore its housing stock, expand energy capacity, and modernize critical infrastructure, it must harness the full spectrum of talent already embedded within its economy.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians and Plumbers US DepartmentofLabor.https://www.bls.gov
Browne, V M (2022) Skilled labor gaps in renewable technology sectors (Doctoral dissertation) ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. https://searchproquestcom/openview/3adf29b2a2fb54dceeeef8babea64aa2/1?pq-origsite=gscholar
Chammout,B.,&El-Adaway,I.H.(2025).USconstructionwagesandlabortrends(1999–2023).Journalof ManagementinEngineering,41(1) https://doiorg/101061/JMENEAMEENG-6285
Dunham,J.,&Flaherty,M.(2024).Blockedpipes:Theeconomicconsequenceofskilledworkershortages. GuerrillaEconomics https://guerrillaeconomicscom/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Blocked-Pipespdf
Elbashbishy, T., & El-Adaway, I. H. (2024). Impact of skilled labor shortages on project costs. Missouri University of Science and Technology https://scholarsminemstedu/cgi/viewcontentcgi? article=3745&context=civarc enveng facwork
Elbashbishy, T., & El-Adaway, I. H. (2024). Skilled worker shortage in union vs nonunion trades. Missouri University of Science and Technology https://scholarsminemstedu/cgi/viewcontentcgi? article=3700&context=civarc enveng facwork
Harvard Kennedy School (2023) Labor Multipliers in Skilled Trades: The Economic Contributions of ElectriciansandPlumbers HarvardUniversity
Holden, C (2024) Targeting labor shortages in skilled trades Cornell Policy Group https://wwwcornellpolicygrouporg/ files/ugd/621378 1ad1e76d30d5491ea448f66bc8d0a8c7pdf
Pearson, C A, Alvarez, E, Egbue, O, Kenderes, S, & Ryland, C (2024) Identifying high-priority construction jobs for decarbonization retrofits American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy https://wwwaceeeorg/sites/default/files/proceedings/ssb24/assets/attachments/20240722163107796 c092d835-2227-4c8b-8cd5-580adbb01746.pdf
Pollin,R,Chakraborty,S,&Wicks-Lim,J (2024) LaborsupplyanddemandundernewUS infrastructure laws. Political Economy Research Institute. https://peri.umass.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2025/01/PERI BGA Labor 2 28 24pdf
Shiha,A.,&El-Adaway,I.H.(2025).Localizedconstructionlaborshortages:A2023perspective.Journalof ConstructionEngineeringandManagement,151(3) https://doiorg/101061/JCEMD4COENG-15702
Thomason, S., Bautista, J., Klein, J., & Patel, K. (2024). Bay Area residential decarbonization workforce study: Industry analysis California Trades Workforce Initiative https://ctwiorg/wpcontent/uploads/Residential-Decarb-Study-Industry-Analysis-Aug-13-2024pdf
US Department of Energy (2023) US energy and employment report (USEER) https://wwwenergygov/useer