Underground Construction - June 2021 - 29

22nd Annual Directional Drilling Survey
several years. Industry associations, such as
the Distribution Contractors Association,
Power and Communication Contractors
Association, NASSCO and many others,
have all launched and supported innovative
and creative programs to promote and
attract people to the labor pools.
But still the shortage remains. With
the worldwide retreat to homes in 2020,
attracting workers to outside careers -
even if they are high-paying jobs - has
become all-the-more difficult.
" One would think that with
unemployment still running high in so
many parts of the country, people would
be knocking at our doors wanting highpaying
careers - but that's not the case, "
observed this Southwest contractor.
" Where have all the workers gone? " this
Midwest contractor complained tonguein-cheek.
" Acquiring skilled labor is almost
impossible. " Said another contractor from
the Southwest, " It doesn't matter much
even when we're prepared to pay people
while we train them - people still aren't
interested in us. "
Further, a West Coast contractor pointed
out that " apparently, working outside just
isn't acceptable or a 'cool' career anymore. "
Added this contractor from the Southeast,
" We've even offered bonuses to both new
hires and our workers that bring in someone.
We've had some luck with that, but not
nearly what we had hoped for. "
The second hiccup slowing down
telecom is the manufacturing supply chain.
For small to mid-size rig and equipment
manufacturers, the labor crunch has hit
them, as well. But it goes much further
than just assembling a rig, mud system
or tools. Distribution of key components
has been disrupted as well.
Continued refinements to small rigs
best-suited for telecom and electric
work continue to enhance and improve
performance of equipment and increase
productivity for contractors. Yet, it's still
not enough. Manufacturers are struggling
to churn out rigs fast enough to meet
demand. Waiting for rigs is often a problem
for dealers and contractors alike.
" We're scared to commit to much
more work until we're confident we can
get the equipment in a timely fashion, "
stressed this Northeast contractor. Said
a Southeast contractor, " we generally are
a loyal customer ... but we checked out
competitive equipment back in March when
we found out how long it was going to take
us to get two new rigs. Problem was, other
manufacturers were just as backed up. "
A Mountain states contractor had better
luck getting a new rig. " We didn't have to
wait on our new rig - I think our dealer
had really stocked-up on equipment last
Average Bore Length (in feet)
1,973 2,011
2,125
1.917 1,892
year. But from what we hear, they've now
just about cleared out their yard. We've got
enough work to justify another rig late this
year or early next year, so we're concerned. "
Other markets
What could very well turn into another
major market driver is the electric industry.
HDD has been utilized heavily for installa2016
2017 2018 2019 2020
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
640 636 679
500
Large rigs
Mid-sized rigs
688
789
390 378 381
379 381
Small rigs
TRENCHLESS PIPE
REHABILITATION
SAERTEX multiCom offers UV-cured
GRP lining solutions for sanitary, storm,
pressure, culverts, and H2O pipes
multiComUSA@saertex.com | 704-584-4059
UCONonline.com | JUNE 2021 29
http://www.UCONonline.com
Underground Construction - June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Underground Construction - June 2021
