Not strictly true. 1000-man layoffs can happen over night, and I mean literally overnight. it's very dependent on your local circumstances. Buildies can do really well for years and lose everything in less than a week. THAT BEING SAID: the skills, connections and experience will survive and retain their value through and after depressive economic circumstances. But we're gonna have a rough fuckin' year. If you're a buildie, try and get on an infrastructure job or some type of work that gets government money. Those can end suddenly too but you can at least rake in as much as possible while it's available.
Take everything I say with a grain of salt though, I've been wrong about plenty of shit before. Don't bet your livelihood strictly on what an innernet retard like me says.
Very legitimate points, I've just noticed that construction has always been pretty consistent, even through the 08-09 crisis, but there's always the possibility. However, I'd also argue that this is easily avoidable if you play your cards right.
You need to be at LEAST in the top 25% of your workforce if you really want to be comfortable during an economic crisis. Not very hard to do as, I've personally noticed, tradesmen are mostly lazy and content with the bare minimum. Not many look to advance their education and sharpen their skills like white collar fucks do. That's a positive in my book though, less competition.
As long as you have variety in your specific trade and credentials to work in all environments, and can do more than turn a wrench or shovel, you'll be okay.
For example, if you're a plumber you should be well versed in both residential and commercial plumbing. Additionally, you should be able to easily decipher architectural drawings and apply them to your trade. If you want to go even further you could get your ticket in pipefitting and double your chances of success.
In addition, most tradies are on their way out (average age of one is ~50) and not many young folk are filling in the spots. A young man who is 10-20 years into his trade is more than likely killing it right now. Little competition and a booming industry leads to plenty of opportunity.
Trades can't work as well off nepotism as other industries. You need the actual skills to back your mouth up. Otherwise you'll be canned. Same goes for the "diversity hire" situation you see in every sector. You can be any color or gender under the sun, but at the end of the day, if you can't do the job you are going to be creamed.
Anyway, sorry for the ramble, I'm old and go off on tangents quite a bit.