GlassBuild America 2024 to Address Labor Shortages with Workforce Development Initiatives

As labor shortages continue to strain the construction industry nationwide, GlassBuild America 2024—the largest event for the glass, window, and door industries in North America—will bring industry leaders together to tackle this challenge head-on. Set against the backdrop of Dallas’s booming construction market, the three-day event will take place from Monday, Sept. 30 to Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Organized by the National Glass Association (NGA), GlassBuild America will offer industry professionals the tools and strategies needed to navigate ongoing workforce hurdles, focusing on recruitment, training, and retention to ensure businesses can meet rising demand and maintain productivity.

“GlassBuild America provides a crucial opportunity for our industry to address the labor shortage and advance workforce development,” said Nicole Harris, president & CEO of NGA.

The construction industry in Dallas is experiencing significant growth, with the region continuing to top MSCI, Inc.’s list of commercial real estate investment markets in 2023. The area’s rapid growth, combined with a nationwide labor force participation rate of only 62.7% as of July 2024, has left companies scrambling to fill critical roles. In Dallas-Fort Worth alone, construction starts are projected to exceed $1.2 trillion in 2024, making the need for a skilled workforce more pressing than ever. GlassBuild America will provide attendees with practical strategies for addressing this workforce shortage and future-proofing their businesses.

Workforce Solutions Through Education

Attendees at GlassBuild America 2024 will have access to a comprehensive range of educational sessions that will equip businesses with tools to create long-term, sustainable workforce strategies. A highlight of the program is the keynote address by Emily Pilloton-Lam, founder and executive director of Girls Garage. In her session, “Building the World We Want to See,” Pilloton-Lam will focus on recruiting the next generation into the trades and building an inclusive workforce, offering a fresh perspective on how the industry can inspire and engage young talent.

Exhibitor Innovations for Efficiency and Productivity

Over 500 exhibitors will showcase the latest innovations designed to address workforce challenges. Exhibitors will feature advanced machinery, tools, and digital solutions for training and installation, helping companies increase efficiency, ensure safety, and reduce dependence on manual labor. The technologies on display will demonstrate how businesses can do more with less and adapt to the workforce shortage through enhanced automation and productivity improvements.

Community Outreach to Build Future Talent

GlassBuild America is committed to building the pipeline of qualified professionals by engaging both the local community and the broader workforce. 50 STEM students from Plano ISD Academy High School will attend on Oct. 1, offering them a first-hand look at the career opportunities available in the glass, window, and door industries. In addition to attending Emily Pilloton-Lam’s keynote session, students will spend the day visiting exhibitor booths to learn about the industry supply chain; join a mentoring Q&A session with NGA VP, Advocacy & Technical Services, Urmilla Sowell and Dr. Dudley McFarquhar, Ph.D., owner of Waxahachie, Texas-based engineering and consulting firm, McFarquhar Group Inc.; and visit the Architectural Glass & Metal Technician certification rig in the exhibit hall to see installation skills and the glazing trade being put to the test.

Additionally, other local area college and trade students have been invited to attend, and NGA will provide interactive demonstrations of MyGlassClass.com—a collection of online training courses for glass installers, fabrication personnel, and glazier apprentices on all three days of GlassBuild. Programs like these provide structured training to help bridge the gap between available jobs and skilled workers, ensuring that the next generation is equipped to succeed in the industry.

“Developing today’s current and future industry workers is mission critical to NGA,” said Jenni Chase, NGA VP, workforce development. “GlassBuild is the perfect opportunity to show off the glass, window, and door trade to the students who are our industry’s future and build the talent pipeline for tomorrow.”