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Construction Jobs Booming but Workforce Still Lacks Women and African-Americans
ST. LOUIS (PRNewswire), September 2, 2007 - Though it comes at a time when transportation-related construction work is booming, this Labor Day will find African-Americans, Latinos and women being passed over for these living-wage jobs in large numbers, according to a study of 18 American metropolitan areas.
The study is the first of its kind to examine the employment of African Americans, Hispanics, and women in the construction field in mostly Midwestern and Northeastern cities that have seen most industrial jobs disappear. Much as manufacturing jobs once did, construction jobs offer a chance for pay significantly higher than minimum wage for workers without a college degree. The national average is over $19.00 an hour.
In every area studied, white males dominate construction work, regardless of the racial and gender makeup of the local workforce as a whole. The study found that, based on their share of the population, more than 42,000 black workers are missing from the construction workforce. Though half the population, women held 6 percent or less of the jobs, even though construction has become increasingly mechanized. Latinos lagged in at least 5 of the metropolitan areas studied.
The study also found that significant labor shortages in the construction industry will worsen in the years ahead. Nearly 2.5 million openings in the construction industry need to be filled between 2004 and 2014. On average, the industry will have to recruit and train nearly 250,000 new workers each year.
The report comes two years after Congress directed transportation agencies to ensure that disadvantaged local workers are trained and hired for construction projects as they spend the $244 billion authorized in the 2005 transportation bill.
The 18 metropolitan areas are Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City, Albany, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Honolulu, Kalamazoo, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Saginaw, South Bend, Syracuse, Virginia Beach, Los Angeles and Youngstown.
Background Checks are Critical in Today's Workplace
DENVER, CO (PRNewswire), September 2, 2007 - With recent events in the news, the importance of organizations conducting background checks on employees has been magnified. "It is critical for employers to understand who they are hiring," says Lorrie Ray, director of Outsourced Consulting Services at Mountain States Employers Council, Inc. (MSEC).
MSEC, a Colorado-based employers association, has 10 researchers dedicated to conducting pre-employment screening for employers. Ray notes, "We help employers prevent major problems down the road, as those who don't do checks can discover they're not really sure who they hired. A simple background check can avoid this."
MSEC expects to conduct over 10,000 background checks this year. Of those 10,000, almost 30% receive a hit with some sort of criminal violation or citation. Ray says, "Companies who hire workers through some agencies should make certain that background screenings are done, or they may find out later none were conducted. In addition, there are different levels of background checks, some not as reliable or thorough. And considering that 25% of all applications include at least one major fabrication, screening becomes critical in making everyday hiring decisions."
Criminal history, motor vehicle records, employment verification and drug testing are just some of the services that MSEC provides to organizations. Background checks can be conducted on potential hires not only nationwide, but worldwide. MSEC offers a full range of services to employers including: employment law services, human resource consulting, training, and surveys. Founded in Denver in 1939, MSEC members are served by 65 human resource and management development professionals and 35 staff attorneys.
Archived:
 Butting Heads With the Boss: Speak Your Mind Without Regretting It
New Research Shows Remote and Home-Based Employees Feel More Favorably About Company
Community-Based Job Training Grants Impact Community and Technical Colleges
Federal- and State-Level Minimum Wage Hikes Hurting Teen Job Market
Strong Global Economy Boosts Demand for Contingent Tech/Engineering Workers
Minimum Wage Increases to $5.85
Office-Based Jobs Can Aggravate Dry-Eye Condition Affecting More Than 20 Million
Career Colleges Generate Billions in Annual Economic Impact
Female Workers Experience Discrimination or Unfair Treatment at Work
Productivity Gains When Friends Work Together
Lack of Affordable Housing Near Jobs Becomes Problem for Employers and Employees
Low-skilled Labor is Being Forced Out of Job Market
Nearly Half of Workers Have Misjudged an Employer's Culture
Environment - More Than Jobs - Occupying Minds of Today's College-Bound Students
Business Executives Underestimate Link Between Workforce Quality and Preschool Education
Focus on Preventing Youth Injuries in the Workplace
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