Construction industry has plans to improve image

by: ANGEL RIGGS World Capitol Bureau on 1/18/2008 12:00 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma construction industry leaders on Thursday announced an initiative aimed at attracting more workers and beefing up the industry's long-neglected image.

"We haven't put together a stated career path for young people that says construction is a viable career," Dick Anderson, executive vice president of the Associated General Contractors of Oklahoma, told members of the CareerTech board at their regular monthly meeting.

"We've done a poor job of selling our industry."

Despite a booming construction market in Oklahoma, contractors are having a hard time filling jobs, Anderson said.

"We don't have the people we need to do this, and as a re sult, you see rising construction costs," he said.

In an effort to attract more workers, the association hopes to work with CareerTech to place an emphasis on the highlights and benefits of construction jobs.

"Most counselors in the school system look upon construction as the career choice of last resort," he said. "But it's not a bad living."

A strategic plan, the associa tion's first formal effort to change perceptions about the industry, is scheduled to be released next week.

The industry has not made a commitment, as it should, to help CareerTech attract students to construction jobs, said Brent Dostal, president of Cantera Concrete Co., which has offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Bentonville, Ark.

"We want to train employees and give them every op portunity to grow," he said, adding that his company offers benefits including health insurance and 401K plans.

"We're going to put our money where our mouth is," he said. "I am going to stand up here today and say 'I want to help you.' "

The Department of Career and Technology Education, also known as CareerTech, operates technology and skills centers statewide.

"They're right on," said CareerTech Director Phil Berkenbile. "This is not just about construction but about all skilled professions."

A start is getting the message to students that "these are viable trades and they can make good wages," he said.

They're careers for skilled professionals, he said, adding that many of the jobs are also much different from years ago.

For example, students learning to work on automobiles today must also know about electronics, as cars now have about 24 computers on them.

"We've got to be proactive with high school counselors," Berkenbile said. "We need people in front of (students) saying, 'These are careers, not jobs.' "

Angel Riggs (405) 528-2465
angel.riggs@tulsaworld.com
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