Would-be hard hats crowd into KC construction trades job fair aimed at women
Brenda Tillman of Kansas City explored her future Saturday morning.
“Just looking for a change in careers,” she said. “Help support my family a little bit better.”
Tillman was one of hundreds of people who attended a career fair at the city’s Mohart center, 3200 Wayne Ave. They chatted with representatives from more than a dozen construction trade unions, from plumbers and pipe fitters to laborers, roofers and electricians.
The organizations’ representatives explained their apprenticeship and training programs — some of which are paid — and then accepted applications.
“They want good pay. They want good benefits. They want choices,” said Donald Slack, a representative of a laborers union.
The fair was aimed at women, and hundreds attended Saturday. The unions, contractors and the city are all interested in bringing more women into the relatively high-paying construction trades to meet diversity goals on public and private projects.
Shawna Clark of Kansas City said she had developed construction and repair skills by working on a rental property she owns. She came to the fair to see if those skills could be expanded enough to land a full-time job in construction.
“I know how to do a little bit of plumbing. I know how to lay tiles. I know how to do drywall,” she said. “I’ll certainly give it a try.”
But dozens of men also attended the jobs fair, discussing training programs and filling out applications.
Sponsors said they were pleased with the turnout. They said the energetic crowd — which backed into a hallway at the community center — suggests the economy is turning around for good.
The national unemployment rate is 5.5 percent.
“The people of Kansas City are really looking for opportunity,” said Reginald Thomas, president of Laborers Local 264. “We’ve been down for a while, and the construction industry took a hit.
“People are eager — and young people, too, are ready to go to work.”
To reach Dave Helling, call 816-234-4656 or send email to dhelling@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published March 7, 2015 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Would-be hard hats crowd into KC construction trades job fair aimed at women."