Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen • August 2018

Hands, Brains and Jobs… by Kari Hebrank, Executive Vice President NUCA of Florida Recently, on a lazy Sunday morning as I was trying to get motivated to get ready for church, I caught a brief news clip about how neuroscientists at the University of Richmond have discovered a strong connection between our brain and “handiwork.” These neuroscientists have determined that working with our hands, even mundane tasks such as washing dishes, folding laundry and performing yard work, makes for a much healthier brain. Those who create with their hands—knitting, sewing, woodworking—also obtain greater brain health. Interestingly, between 1980 -2015, desk jobs have increased 94% whereas labor jobs have risen only 12%. Perhaps one of the selling points for those of us trying to grapple with the construction industry workforce shortage should be to promote the brain healthy benefit that labor jobs provide when workers have an opportunity to work with their hands. NUCA of Florida is actively pursuing solutions to the impending workforce crisis in the underground utility industry and other construction trades. To this end, we have partnered with our colleagues at the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) to promote legislation that would devote a small percentage of the building permit fee surcharge towards the Construction Industry Workforce Consortium, formerly the Construction Industry Workforce Taskforce on which NUCA of Florida member, Kim Bryan, Petticoat-Schmitt serves. The funds would also be utilized for programs that will educate students of all ages on the benefits and opportunities within construction jobs and trades, including extra- curricular programs such as Future Builders of America and partnerships with trade schools and community colleges. As you meet with candidates this fall in your local community, be sure to speak to them about workforce and the need to create opportunities to enhance the image of the construction trades and educate potential future workers. And, it doesn’t hurt to share that support for a workforce that mainly works with their hands may just lead to employees with better brain health overall. • • • labor jobs increased 12% desk jobs increased 94% AUGUST 2018 • DITCHMEN 17

Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen • August 2018 | Page 17