Can We Save America's Construction Industry? With George Carrillo

The construction industry is facing a labor crisis, with over half a million unfilled jobs and rising. Without enough workers to build the future, everything from infrastructure to industrial development is at risk. In this episode of the Real Finds Podcast, Gordon Lamphere sits down with George Carrillo, CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, to discuss what’s causing the workforce collapse and how to fix it.

Carrillo, a former public official turned industry leader, delivers a powerful message: construction powers our economy, and without people to build, the entire real estate industry grinds to a halt. From affordable housing to industrial supply chains, the ripple effects of the labor shortage are already here—and will only worsen without systemic change.

In this solution-focused conversation, we cover:

🔨 The state of the labor shortage and why it’s worse than you think

🧱 How construction is the foundation of the commercial real estate industry

🌎 Why smart, comprehensive immigration reform must be part of the solution

🎓 The urgent need for education reform and early exposure to the trades

🧰 Creative ways to inspire the next generation and yes, even children’s picture books

💼 Real pathways for young people and underserved communities to get into the trades

Carrillo doesn’t just point out the problem. He brings blueprints for change. The future of real estate starts with the people who build it, and we need more of them right now.

Subscribe to the Real Finds Podcast to hear bold solutions and candid conversations from the people shaping the built world.

📲 Connect with Us:

Website: https://www.vvco.com/real-finds-podcast/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6259PC9dz1qFdptPUtpKoU

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-finds-podcast/id1664564660

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcPo4ApnUONGj2PHX5wtMPw

Twitter: @realfindspod