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CO Contractors Hiring Graduates of New Construction Careers Now Program

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Denver, CO —  To date, 31 of the 43 inaugural September Construction Careers Now (CCN) graduates have sought and found gainful employment, or have embarked on continuing education in the construction industry. Several participants have received multiple offers of employment and some are still in the process of interviewing among the 24 local construction contractors who participated in the hiring fair that is included in every four-week program.

The construction hiring fairs align with the goals set forth in Governor John W. Hickenlooper’s latest proclamation for October as “Colorado Construction Careers Month.” By bringing together contractors and potential employees (CCN graduates) at the hiring fairs, CCN serves as a means to accomplish Gov. Hickenlooper’s goal to “highlight careers in the construction industry and provide a path for individuals to become trade professionals.”

One such company, ISEC, hired three CCN participants with three more potential hires on the way. All three new ISEC employees started work the first week in October. Nick Snider, General Superintendent at ISEC’s Denver office commented, “We were impressed with the caliber of participants that we interviewed from the CCN hiring fair. Supporting and employing the CCN graduates is a win-win for us because they arrive on the job-site with a sufficient knowledge base where we can train them further for a career in the construction industry.”

To date, September CCN graduates are beginning their new careers in construction with multiple companies through carpentry apprenticeships, on-the-job training, Denver Joint Electrical apprenticeships, Building and Construction Trades Council apprenticeships and through the Work Initiative Now (WIN) continuing Education and Career Services Support program. CCN Recruiters, Erika Anderson and Jim Spence, are actively tracking the progress of all the participants by staying in touch with them even after they graduate from the CCN program to help support and guide them to a rewarding career in construction.

Twenty-four companies, including nine general contractors and 12 specialty contractors, participated with booths at this initial hiring fair representing various skilled trades and apprenticeship programs. “Garnering support from the local contractors and sub-contractors is vital to the success of the CCN program to help them meet the labor shortages they are facing,” commented Bryan Cook, Chapter Operations Director for the Associated General Contractors of Colorado. According to the 2016 Workforce Survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, 89% of Colorado construction firms reported difficulty filling hourly craft positions. CCN serves as a tool to assist Colorado construction firms bolster their workforce development and provide them with qualified employees.

CCN will continue to honor Gov. Hickenlooper’s proclamations well beyond the month of October to assist CCN participants in their efforts to embark on a career in construction. Hiring fairs are taking place during each four-week CCN “Introduction to Construction” pre- apprenticeship training programs that are currently scheduled through June of 2017.

Photo taken by ISEC, courtesy of Construction Careers Now

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