A significant workforce shortage in Oregon's building inspection sector is raising alarms among state officials and industry leaders. During a recent meeting of the Senate Committee on Labor and Business, experts highlighted a looming crisis as a large number of code professionals are set to retire in the coming years. A national survey conducted by the International Code Council revealed that 82% of building inspectors across the United States plan to retire by 2029, which could lead to a mass exodus of experienced workers.

In Oregon, there are currently about 1,500 certified code officials, including building inspectors and permit technicians. However, the state faces an annual shortfall of approximately 65 professionals due to retirements and other factors. With the goal of increasing housing development from 20,000 to 36,000 homes per year, the need for trained code professionals has never been more urgent.

To address this gap, local educational institutions such as Chemeketa Community College and Portland Community College, along with the State Building Codes Division, have the capacity to train only 50 new code professionals annually. This leaves a significant deficit of about 115 professionals that need to be trained each year to meet the growing demand.

In response to this challenge, a new apprenticeship program is being proposed. This initiative aims to flip the traditional training model by hiring individuals first and then providing them with on-the-job training, allowing them to contribute to the workforce more quickly. The program would not require participants to pay for their training, making it more accessible for potential recruits.

As the state grapples with the implications of this workforce shortage, the proposed apprenticeship program could serve as a vital tool in ensuring that Oregon has enough qualified professionals to meet its housing needs and support future development. The urgency of this issue underscores the importance of proactive measures to secure a stable workforce for the state's building industry.