Need a new strategy to find skilled workers? You’re not alone.
Throughout the western U.S., 88 percent of respondents to the 2026 Workforce Survey from the Associated General Contractors of America and the National Center for Construction Education and Research reported having open hourly craft positions — with 45 percent saying those positions are harder to fill than a year ago.
The Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America notes that the state’s labor gap is particularly acute because population growth and a booming construction pipeline are creating demand that far outpaces the available workforce.
Yet one highly qualified labor pool remains underutilized. Below, David Miranda, a First-Year Apprentice at Kearney Electric in Phoenix, Arizona, explains how his military experience smoothed the transition to the job site and why more employers should seek out veterans for their workforce.
Kearney started the Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA) Electrical Apprenticeship Program in mid-August 2026 and started at Kearney Electric one month later.
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Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Growing up, I watched my father work as an electrician, and his dedication to the craft inspired me to follow a similar path. Seeing the pride he took in his work planted a seed early on. When the opportunity came to pursue the electrical trades, it felt like a natural fit, both personally and professionally.
I served in the U.S. Army, where I developed discipline, the ability to work as part of a team, and the skills to perform under pressure. After the military, I fought fires for the Gila River Fire Department [in Arizona], where those same qualities were put to the test every day in a demanding, high-stakes environment. Both experiences shaped the person I am and laid the foundation for my transition into the electrical trades through the ABA apprenticeship program.
Through the Veteran Construction Trade Hiring Expo [hosted by ABA], I connected with employers who were actively looking for people with my background. That connection led me to Kearney Electric, and I accepted a job offer before I completed the apprenticeship program. The ABA does a wonderful job of providing apprentices with hands-on training, which gave me the confidence and the skills to perform well on the job site.
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The military and the construction trades share more in common than most people realize. Military skills and experience translate to the construction field because both environments demand discipline, teamwork, and the ability to stay focused. The discipline veterans develop in the military aligns directly with what is expected on a construction site.
Construction can be a high-pressure job, so having that skill set early in your career gives veterans an advantage and also makes the transition smoother. Every day on a job site brings new challenges and veterans are trained to adapt quickly, work as a team, follow our leader, and get the work done.
The challenging situations veterans face in the military teach them to stay calm, work as a team, and push through when conditions get tough. For example, being able to work under pressure is important, and veterans prove that they can do that. Each construction site brings something new every day, and veterans are trained to face the unknown and find solutions quickly. That ability to adapt is one of the greatest strengths a veteran brings to a construction career.
Veterans are hardworking, mission-driven, and committed to making a difference. Veterans bring a strong work ethic and a sense of purpose to the job site that is difficult to teach.
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Veterans also tend to pick up the basic skills of a trade quickly, which means they can contribute sooner and continue growing at a fast pace. When you hire a veteran, you are bringing on someone who shows up ready to work and dedicated to doing the job.
Businesses that want to attract veterans should start by going where veterans are. They can use social media as a powerful tool to spread the word and signal that they are actively looking to hire veterans.
In addition, businesses can connect with veterans’ groups directly, which creates a more targeted and meaningful outreach. Events like the Veteran Construction Trade Hiring Expo are a great example of how employers can meet motivated candidates who are ready to enter the workforce.
Using social media alongside direct community connections helps businesses build trust with the veteran community and make lasting relationships that benefit both the employer and the employee.
