According to “Toledo Construction,” the official newsletter published by Northwest Ohio Building Trades, a recent study pegged the Toledo metropolitan area 14th in the nation for construction job growth. Not bad for a city ranked 89th in size.
We, at Lakeside Interior have a very positive feel about these recent findings but we’re also reticent since, to be successful, the rapid growth needs to be sustained by qualified, trained and responsible trades people. “It definitely points to the need for support on both the recruitment of younger people entering the job market as well as attracting mature, qualified and experienced workers to the area,” said Matt Homier, VP of Marketing at Lakeside.
Lakeside Interior Contractors supports local trade schools, trade organizations, vocational schools and other apprenticeship institutions helping prepare and train the labor force for the future growth of the Toledo area market. From general contractors to sub contractors such as Lakeside, there is a distinct, across the board, need for qualified trades people from every specialty group. The contracting community is highly aware of this need as are the unions who represent the labor required to help complete projects skillfully and successfully, on time and on budget.
One program Lakeside has gotten behind is sponsored by The Associated General Contractors of Northwest Ohio. It is the Construction Leadership Council’s 2017 Construction Camp. More than 25 students from Waite and Start High Schools participated this year in the program which immerses juniors, seniors and recent graduates in an intensive, week long construction technology experience.
During the camp, students are provided the opportunity – up close and hands on – a way to experience and explore careers in commercial construction. Randy Hayes, Safety Director at Lakeside Interiors, served as a mentor during the week. He said, “It is a gratifying experience getting to know young people who obviously share an interest in the construction business. They may not know exactly where they fit but we try to hit all of the area’s apprenticeship training centers so they can get an idea of what they might expect and what might be expected of them. From Lakeside’s perspective it’s a valuable workforce development asset.”