ASA News
New ASA PHCP-PVF labor study reveals progress and challenges
62% of ASA members report the number of women employed by their firms has increased since 2015. Slightly more than 1 in 5 PHCP/PVF industry workers are women. ASA’s Women in Industry ELEVATE national conference recently drew a record 425 attendees in Nashville. Photo by Jason Mallory/ASA.
Eight years after ASA conducted its first national labor study of the PHCP/PVF industry, the association has repeated the study to understand the current state of the industry’s workforce and what changes have occurred since the first study in 2015.
The 2015 study illustrated the aging workforce in the industry and the need to attract potential employees to make up for the large number of anticipated retirements. This resulted in the creation of ASA’s PROJECT TALENT, a strategic initiative to attract and grow the number of talented workers across the industry.
The latest study’s results show that more than 31% of the industry’s workforce is over the age of 55 with almost 10% 65 years old or older. This is compared to 2015 where 26% of the industry’s workforce was over the age of 55 and nearly 6% 65 or older.
When you consider there are about 373,000 employees among PHCP/PVF distributors, manufacturers, and independent manufacturers’ reps, this means there are 116,000 employees who have reached or are close to reaching retirement. ASA members report they expect 27% of the workforce or about 101,000 people to retire in the next 10 years with 41,000 of those in the next five years.
Furthermore, the number of employees between the ages of 19 and 24 has increased from 6% in 2015 to more than 10%, now signaling the industry is working to address the large number of expected retirements.
PHCP/PVF workforce becoming more diverse
Evident by the growth of ASA’s Women in Industry division and the increase in women attending industry events, 62% of ASA members report the number women employed by their firms has increased since 2015 with 30% reporting that it’s stayed about the same. Slightly more than 1 in 5 PHCP/PVF industry workers are women.
In addition to the growing population of women in the industry, similar increases are being seen in the number of Hispanic, African American, and Asian workers.
The PHCP/PVF national labor study supports the objective of ASA’s PROJECT TALENT to develop and implement a program to attract and grow the number of talented workers taking advantage of fulfilling career opportunities in the PHCP/PVF industry. PROJECT TALENT is a part of ASA’s Employee Recruitment and Education goal, one of four mega goals included in the Association’s strategic plan.
How can I get a copy of the full study?
ASA-member companies can receive a full copy of the labor study by contacting ASA’s Steve Edwards at sedwards@asa.net.
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