Hugo Malan is President of Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom, a business unit of Kelly.
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We stand at a significant moment in our nation’s history following the signing into law of the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. The bill contains $1.2 trillion in funding for new and existing programs focused on all aspects of U.S. infrastructure—from roads and transport to green energy to high-speed internet. The passage of this legislation could drive infrastructure spending to its highest level in 30 years and has the potential to stimulate prosperity and success for generations to come.
At this early stage, it’s difficult to know the full extent to which the bill will impact different parts of the economy. However, it’s safe to predict that specialists across science, engineering and technology will see many opportunities to join expansive and generously funded infrastructure projects. Overall, the bill is expected to create or save more than 15 million jobs at every education level, according to an analysis by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
Recently, I had the opportunity to take a closer look at what the infrastructure bill means for employers and job seekers during the first installment of the Expert Exchange Series hosted by my organization. A panel of public- and private-sector experts explored how the bill will accelerate innovation and fuel demand for talent. Based on our discussion and my experience, I'd like to share three trends that could shape employers’ hiring strategies over the course of the next decade and potentially beyond, as well as recommendations for talent to leverage these dynamics into opportunities to accelerate their careers.
1. Engineers are having a moment.
It goes without saying that engineers will be essential to implementing every part of this generational investment in U.S. infrastructure. What is more surprising is how broad the demand for engineering skills will be beyond the core civil and mechanical disciplines normally associated with infrastructure projects.
With a large portion of funding for clean water programs, broadband deployments and upgrades to our nation’s power grid, there will also be a significant increase in demand for chemical, electronic and electrical engineering skills, to name but a few. For students, recent graduates or experienced professionals considering an engineering career path or additional training or certifications in engineering, this creates a very broad landscape of opportunity—no matter your passion.
2. Green careers will abound.
Opportunities in industries that are focused on mitigating and adapting to climate change will likely proliferate due to the passage of this bill. According to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), climate-related and other environmental provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would support more than 763,000 jobs annually. Among the industries that account for these jobs are electric vehicle manufacturing and charging infrastructure—not a surprise when considering this legislation allocates significant funds to transportation programs.
Electric mobility offers a wide variety of career pathways. This includes anything from chemical and electrical engineers developing longer-range batteries and more powerful electric motors to material scientists designing lighter materials for more efficient vehicles to electronic engineers and physicists creating LIDAR systems for autonomous navigation. With $5 billion of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal earmarked to build a nationwide network of EV charging stations, there will also be many technical jobs created to design, install and maintain these installations. If a green career is your goal, now is the time to search for opportunities.
3. Direct experience could no longer be required.
The roles created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act come during a significant talent shortage. In response, hiring managers are increasingly prepared to consider candidates with transferable skills and qualifications in lieu of direct experience in a particular role or industry. This dynamic is contributing to a more diverse, adaptable workforce that is even better suited to solve new and increasingly complex infrastructure challenges.
How can job seekers assess whether their skills and experience are applicable to a position for which they don’t fit the traditional mold? Start with what the company is trying to accomplish and decide if your skills and passions can support that goal, rather than using a job description as the starting point. If you believe you can help, reach out directly. Given the acute talent shortages anticipated, many companies will be only too glad to hear from non-traditional but enthusiastic candidates.
Could you be part of this new era of innovation?
Every major investment program in the U.S.—from the creation of the railway network to the construction of the interstate highway system to the Apollo space program—has caused upheaval in the labor market. While some roles are disrupted, ultimately new jobs are created on a massive scale. The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal represents a unique opportunity to accelerate your career and to help realize a generational investment in our nation’s future. Assess your skills and experience, know your value and seize the moment.
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