Urban League of Greater Cleveland and Construction Employers Association are Putting People to ‘Work, Now’
The shortage of labor is a major problem for the construction and skilled trades industry. But, two organizations have come together in an attempt to create a solution.
Work NOW is a program created through a partnership between The Urban League of Greater Cleveland’s SOAR program and Construction Employers Association (CEA). It seeks to create a sustained workforce through employee and employer partnerships.
Work NOW is a four to six week program that provides soft skills training, industry immersion and case management. Classes start at 7 a.m., Monday through Friday.
“We have to create a work environment and create expectations,” says Goren B. Dillard, Director, Adult Workforce Development Urban League of Greater Cleveland. “Employers love working with us because we take a nonsense approach.”
Dillard describes Work NOW as a training ground to prepare participants for the next step, an apprenticeship. “The more skills you have, the better the job you can do.”
Lauren Benton, 29, went through the Work Now program in 2016 and currently hangs metal studs and drywall at The Federal Reserve, working for Regency Construction Services. Prior to Work NOW, Benton worked in retail, banks, and airline customer service.
“Work NOW gave me more insight into the industry,” says Benton. “Going on the site visits gave me an idea of what to expect. The apprenticeship prepared me for the work.”
Benton completed her journeymanship last January and enjoys working in this field.
“I like it a lot. It allows me to grow mentally, emotionally and physically, every aspect of life,” Benton says. “It allows me to challenge myself in a good way.”
Benton says Work NOW also prepared her for public speaking. “It helped me in being confident and presenting myself,” she says. “Work NOW and my current position inspired me to be a leader.”
Joe DiGeronimo, vice president of Precision Environmental, said they’ve hired several participants out of the last Work NOW classes and describes one, Alonzo Woodruff, as a model model by any standard.
“[Work NOW] do a good job of giving you exposure and giving you the tools,” says Woodruff, who has worked at Precision for four years.
Dillard says it’s been easy to connect with employers because of CEA. “They’ve gone above and beyond.” He also thinks all aspects of the program is critical but the industry immersion is the cornerstone. “You’ll be surprised what can come out of an experience.”
Benton says she would recommend Work NOW to people who know they want to enter construction and skilled trades and those who don’t. “It helped me figure out what I wanted to do,” she says.