CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - On June 4 Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish announced new initiatives aimed at training people for good paying jobs in the building trades, while focusing on minorities. Pending County Council approval of a new collective bargaining agreement, the County, in partnership with Cleveland Builds, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping candidates find opportunities in construction, will provide pre-employment education and training for electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and other building trades.

More than 150 CEA members and guests gathered at the Hill ‘n Dale Club in Medina and raised $50,000 in support of Cleveland Builds Thursday, May 6th. This clay-shooting event was conceived of by Brian Exl, who is the Cleveland General Manager for OCP Contractors, and Tim Linville. OCP also served as the presenting sponsor for the event. The success of this event was due to all sponsors and CEA staff, especially CEA’s Coordinator of Education and Programs, Courtney Smyser.  

By Rhonda Crowder

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.

By Rhonda Crowder

A program supported by Construction Employers Association (CEA), for the last 13 years, The ACE Mentoring Program - Cleveland has worked to expose school students to careers in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering industry, including skilled trades.  

But, most recently, their Career Pathway Committee decided to make the latter more of a priority. 

Ed Abbott, The Ironworker

Finding the right candidate to become an ironworker these days can be challenging. We are all trying to find people that care about their work, care about one another and show up to work on time each day. One good source that continues to provide people with these qualities is Helmets to Hardhats. Meet Connor Burley, a first six-month apprentice ironworker and member of Local Union 433. 

Ohio State CBCTC

The Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services ApprenticeOhio program provided the following information on registered construction apprentices in the state of Ohio as of 11/24/2020. The total of Ohio Registered Apprentices in Construction is 13,185.

CBCTC Blog

By Ryan Golden, Construction Dive

The type of in-person learning experience fostered at many apprenticeship programs, something that became difficult to maintain as the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the U.S. Other talent development models, such as internships, moved online at many organizations.

Properties Magazine

On September 2, the 2020 Building Excellence & Craftsmanship awards were held to honor and recognize tradespeople, apprentices and builders of top construction projects throughout Northeast Ohio. After careful consideration with partner associations regarding the health and safety of everyone in the industry, the awards were held virtually. The presentation is available online. 

Fortune Article

In this opinion piece in Fortune, signatory contractor, Scott Casabona (Sloan & Company), explains how a proposed federal labor regulation would make it even easier for unscrupulous contractors to shift the cost of being an employer onto workers by classing them as "independent contractors."