As I was saying …

I recently had the chance to participate in a first-time effort to bring together a number of associations related to the housing industry as part of the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. The group was asked to identify issues of concern to their respective industries and suggest opportunities for collaboration. Nearly everyone talked about workforce issues, specifically how we find, train and retain workers.

There are a number of initiatives already in place, to be sure. NRCA, for example, is developing more online training programs tied to the broader idea of establishing a well-defined career path for roofing workers. We've also begun working with construction management schools to make more students aware of career opportunities in specialty contracting. And we are partners with three programs looking to find work for veterans.

Sadly, these are only small-scale remedies. The fundamental problem we face is a demographic one: The U.S. population is aging, and the traditional source of roofing labor—18 to 22 year olds—is not looking to the construction industry as a first choice for a career.

A recent article in the Dallas Morning News reported the average age of a carpenter is 49; the average plumber is 56; and the average stonemason is 69. And during the next five years, 20 percent of skilled laborers in the construction industry are expected to retire.

Where does this leave us? Well, one solution, of course, is to find more (legal) immigrant labor. A majority of the roofing industry's workforce, according to most estimates, is made up of immigrants. And they are filling jobs that are not minimum-wage, low-paying positions.

In Washington, D.C., the debate about meaningful immigration reform appears, once again, to be on hold for political reasons. Neither party wants to touch the subject in an election year; it is, for sure, a subject that generates a lot of emotional response.

There is no question our current immigration system is broken and badly in need of repair. An intelligent immigration policy would ensure the borders are secure; allow immigrants into the U.S. to fill jobs that U.S. citizens, for whatever reason, choose not to fill; and provide a reasonable accommodation for the 12 million or so illegal immigrants currently here—most of whom are working and paying taxes. More than half of those 12 million, by the way, entered the U.S. legally and became "illegal" only after government policy didn't allow them to stay legally. And about 35 percent of them own homes, so simply deporting them isn't a viable option.

Absent an intelligent immigration policy, the black market for labor continues to flourish. We all know stories of "independent" contractors who are paid in cash and have no insurance; we all know contractors who could never survive a visit from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

It's time for meaningful change and for an adult conversation about the subject. Let's hope the next Congress can do the right thing.

Bill Good is NRCA's executive vice president.