Building a construction workforce through collaboration

On my commute, I see construction workers fixing bridges, repaving roads, and building train tracks. While some of their work has the side effect of slowing my travel, I try to remember that it represents positive signs for our region and future economic success.

As I pass, I wonder how these workers chose their careers. Did they always want to build things? Were they responding to the demand created by new transportation infrastructure development including the M-1 Rail, and Gordie Howe Bridge? Or did they recognize the opportunity that comes with new commercial projects such as the Little Caesars Arena and its surrounding development and learn the skills necessary to benefit? And finally, do all of Southeast Michigan’s residents have the same access to these opportunities?

To complete large scale projects, it takes engineers, planners, cost estimators, electricians, iron workers, carpenters, laborers, operating engineers, truck drivers, and many others. These jobs pay well and offer promising career prospects but the skills gap in our region is leaving many positions unfilled.

There is a growing effort to make sure that the benefits of major economic development projects are shared by everyone in the community. One collaborative effort, the Partnership for Diversity and Opportunity in Transportation, aims to ensure that Detroiters are able to benefit from the significant growth taking place in the city. The Partnership is a group of committed stakeholders representing state and federal transportation and workforce development, community organizations, training providers, labor organizations, and contractors. It focuses on preparing Detroiters for construction jobs and on strengthening opportunities for Detroit-based contractors to bid on transportation projects.

Among the Partnership’s most notable successes are:

• Bonding Education Program (BEP) – helps small businesses become bond ready, a requirement for bidding on construction contracts;
• Access for All – a nine-week construction pre-apprenticeship training program that provides individuals with an interest and aptitude for construction careers to prepare for skilled-trades apprenticeships;
• MiRoad2Work – a website highlighting real-time apprenticeship opportunities;

Probably the most important success is a culture of collaboration.

The Partnership is coordinated by Tony Kratofil, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Metro Region Engineer, and Robert Davis, MDOT Senior Advisor. They provide leadership and encourage participation from a range of diverse stakeholders.

“Infrastructure affects all of us – we see it, we use it, and when it happens in your backyard, it is not unreasonable for citizens to expect to participate in the process of building it and reap the benefits of the careers and contracts associated with that investment,” explains Kratofil. “At the same time, it’s a complicated industry, and it is not easy to get a foot in the door. So it is incumbent on the industry and its community partners to help break down those barriers and clear the path for inclusion.”

Preparing a workforce requires many partners to market the opportunities and benefits of construction careers, recruit adults and students, carry out pre-testing for employers, provide training (and supportive services when needed), and connect them to contractors and other employers.

Because each agency each has unique strengths, coordination of efforts is the Partnership’s greatest value.

• MDOT has helped to fund or otherwise support the BEP and Access for All and is coordinating an effort by City of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on infrastructure workforce with the City’s Workforce Development department.
• Community-based training organizations such as Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), SER Metro-Detroit, Focus: HOPE, Detroit Training Center, The Greening of Detroit, and Southwest Detroit Business Association have partnered on recruiting and training individuals for pre-apprenticeship programs.
• Labor organizations such as Operating Engineers Local 324 and Laborers Local 1191 partnered on the Access for All curriculum. The Black Caucus Foundation and Michigan Minority Contractors Association are active in raising awareness and readiness for careers and contracting opportunities.

While the partnership has been successful in creating momentum around construction careers, preparing a workforce for technical skilled-trade careers remains challenging. The high level of technical skills required by employers, as well as other essential skills such as physical strength, teamwork, time management, and being drug free makes it difficult to recruit and train enough people.

The shortage of employers at the table adds to this dilemma. Cadillac Asphalt and HNTB are long-term members of the partnership and have developed creative programs for training the workforce. However, to ensure that workers develop the right skills, stronger participation by employers is needed to help match the City’s residents with construction careers. Another major challenge is the shortage of a construction career pipeline due to lack of awareness, interest and misconceptions about construction careers among young people.

Southeast Michigan’s infrastructure projects provide a huge opportunity to grow a skilled-trade workforce in Detroit. In particular, the commitment of the developers of M-1 Rail and District Detroit to hire Detroit workers and contractors makes it imperative that there is no further delay.

Solutions are needed to short-term and long-term challenges in attracting, training, and preparing workers for high-skilled positions in construction. These jobs, which provide workers with good wages, improved quality of life, and satisfying work while also fueling the region’s future growth and economic success, are waiting to be filled. So if you happen to see some construction workers taking a break on-site, ask them how they got there and what they would tell young people about the benefits of a construction career.