Chicago’s Construction Career Opportunity Program
Helping the commercial construction industry and minority communities

The Builders Association, the AGC chapter in Chicago, has developed an innovative program designed to help replenish Chicago’s skilled trades workforce. The joint venture between the Builders Association, the City Colleges of Chicago, and three community groups is designed to “meet the needs of both the commercial construction industry and minority communities that are underrepresented in the construction workforce.”

Under the CCOP, Dawson Technical Institute provides minorities with training programs in the skilled trades – including carpentry, cement/masonry, bricklaying and plumbing – and then helps graduates find interviews with construction companies that are willing to sponsor them into the appropriate apprenticeship program. Since the program's inception, over 40 hires have been made.

This career opportunity program already is being replicated around the state and has viability in other states, particularly those with a high unemployment rate. For more information, please go to the Builders Association website at: http://bldrs.org/ and click on “Construction Career Opportunity Program.”
   
  

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