Construction workers are vital to progress. That progress could hit a major snag in the coming years according to the executive director of Construction Exchange Buffalo.

Joe Benedict says some construction companies are already having problems finding enough people to work.

“It's not that they're limited by their ability to market themselves. It's not that they don’t have the capital to do it. It's just that they don't have those couple extra hands to run that piece of equipment or do that extra work,” said Benedict.

The worry is, if something isn't done, the construction worker shortage problem could get worse.

According to the New York State Department of Labor, there will be a need for 28% more construction workers throughout the state by the year 2024.

Benedict says the fix to get more people into construction will come from Albany and from high schools.

Last year, legislation died that would give guidance counselors more information to students about jobs in construction. Benedict says he and Construction Exchange will be pushing a similar bill this year.