World of Concrete 2026: Patrick Cleary on Building the Future Workforce in Concrete

Patrick Cleary, Chairman of the American Concrete Pavement Association, on funding, building industry unity, and addressing workforce challenges like attracting young talent and hiring skilled engineers.

Jan. 23, 2026

Gavin Jenkins, Senior Managing Editor of Roads & Bridges, talked with Patrick Cleary, Chairman of the Board of the American Concrete Pavement Association, about bringing the industry together and tackling funding challenges.

Cleary stressed the need for steady funding to improve infrastructure and the value of speaking with one voice as technology continues to change. He also talked about workforce challenges, including attracting younger workers and the difficulty agencies face in hiring qualified engineers, based on his experience in concrete construction.