Construction Jobs On The Rebound With Industry Eager For Workers
ROSEVILLE (CBS13) — Thousands of construction jobs are up for grabs, and there aren't enough people to fill them.
It's a dilemma facing dozens of construction companies in the area—after years of soft building and layoffs, now they need more workers.
Since being laid off in 2011, Bobby Herald is struggling to find steady work. The skilled plumber and electrician from Marysville may have found his break on Tuesday.
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"Here today, the opportunities are endless. I just started 15-20 minutes ago and I've already got four or five resumes to people and they're already interested," he said.
He's one of dozens of applicants hoping to rebound from the economic crisis of 2008 that silenced the sounds of construction in the region.
"Construction has really been picking up in the region," said Rick Larkey with the North State Building Industry Foundation.
The foundation that's holding the job fair says the housing market has improved to the point there are now huge labor gaps to fill.
"We anticipate hiring 5,000 people in this next year in the construction trades," he said. "Builders are now experiencing delays because they don't have enough skilled trade workers."
Companies are even reaching out to high-school seniors and offering on-the-job training.
"After you go through the training program, you can as much as $50,000 to $60,000 a year," he said. "They just need people who are excited about working and want an opportunity in the trades."
