CEA and Urban League of Greater Cleveland Spark Female Interest in Construction

By Rhonda Crowder

Work NOW, a workforce development collaboration between Construction Employers Association (CEA) and The Urban League of Greater Cleveland, wrapped up its 2018 session in July.

The Work NOW program introduces participants to the construction industry as well as teaches soft skills and life skills such as budgeting and maintaining good credit. Participants also complete a resume, develop an elevator pitch and learn interviewing skills. Industry professionals like Fred Rodgers of Ozanne Construction, Orlando Taylor from Turner Construction and Ariane Kirkpatrick-Couch of The AKA Team, speak to the class as well.

The program is designed to prepare participants to seek construction employment or an apprenticeship within one of the trades upon completion.

“As the partnership between CEA and the Urban League continues, we have found that there are key ingredients that make for successful completion of training and matriculation to employment,” said Marsha Mockabee, CEO of Urban League of Greater Cleveland. 

“They include creating a culture of high expectations, holding participants accountable for their learning and accomplishment of program outcomes, creating a culture where students take responsibility for their decisions and creating a climate of professionalism, teamwork and accountability.” 

Class started every morning, Monday through Thursday, at 8 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m. On Fridays, they had an industry day, where they visited local job sites - Cleveland Athletic Club, Quicken Loans Arena, Opportunity Corridor, Precision Environmental and Cook Paving.  

Earlean Johnson, a 31 year old single parent trying to make ends meet, learned about the program from a friend. “I didn’t foresee going to get a college degree, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to start a career, not just another job, living paycheck to paycheck,” she said.

During Work NOW, Johnson learned about the average wage and lack of women in the field. She made connections on industry days, sees endless opportunity and hopes to move into an apprenticeship or job after completion of Work Now.

Johnson expressed interest in carpentry, said she’s always been hands on, fixing little things around her house such as laying new tile and painting rooms. She thinks it would be exciting to be in the construction field. She sees it as a viable industry, something where she doesn’t have to rely on food stamps and public assistance for support.

“It’s been a very good experience thus far, not only learning the soft skills, but Nate Phillips (a cement mason from Local #404) helped us to open our minds, and to think about what motivates us. I’m excited to see where it’s going to go. This makes me want to go back to school but for something that supports the trade.”

She’s even thinking entrepreneurship, building a business as something she could pass down to her children. “I want to show them they can do whatever they want to do.”

Sheena Hamm, 28, said, “I’m tired of doing what I’ve been doing. I always saw myself having a career.” She’s interested becoming a cement mason, bricklayer, painter, or operating engineer. “I like all the hard stuff.”

Hamm found Work NOW to be very uplifting and knowledgeable. “They educated us on everyday life, not just the field. I look forward to a new and better career,” she said.

At the end of the program, representatives for CEA and The Urban League, as well as several elected officials, encouraged the participants to continue in their pursuits. The participants received a certificate of completion and CISP (Construction Industry Service Program) Substance Abuse Program card.  

Johnson was selected to speak on behalf of the class. “This is the first time I felt a like a fire was lit,” she said. “I’ve been through a number of workforce development programs, but this… I have faith something good is going to come of this.”

“We applaud the students who have emerged from this class ready to Work Now,” said Mockabee. “The Urban League’s commitment is to continue working with the remaining group to assist them in eliminating their barriers to employment.”

Tim Linville, CEO of Construction Employers Association, said CEA will definitely continue to support Work NOW and the Spanish American Committee Latino Construction Training Program. “It’s a good introduction into the industry,” he said. “The next step is starting the apprenticeship pathway, where they’ll really get prepared.”