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Tag: construction jobs

  • Suffolk OTB buys land that was donated to village for $12.5M | Long Island Business News

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    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Village of sells 8.5-acre donated parcel to for $12.5M

    • Land to support Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel expansion, including parking

    • Trader Joe’s developing major warehouse project on adjacent former CA site

    • Jake’s 58 expansion to add gaming space, food court, parking garage and jobs

    An 8.5-acre parcel of land that was donated to the Village of Islandia and suggested as a site for veterans housing has been sold to Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting for its ongoing expansion of Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel. 

    Suffolk OTB paid $12.5 million for the parcel that adjoins the existing Jake’s Islandia property. The land had been donated to the village a couple of years ago by the owners of the former next door. The donated land was earmarked by the village as a potential development site for veterans’ housing, according to real estate sources, but the village sold it to Suffolk OTB instead. 

    About half of the land will be used as parking for Jake’s and use for the rest of the property is yet to be determined, according to Suffolk OTB CEO Phil Boyle. 

    Islandia Property Owner LLC, the ownership group that acquired the 800,000-square-foot former CA headquarters on 66 acres in Oct. 2021, sold the property to the Monrovia, Calif.-based grocery chain Trader Joe’s for $118.5 million in August, as first reported by LIBN. Trader Joe’s is already constructing a three-building, 921,000-square-foot project on the site that will include a 756,032-square-foot warehouse and distribution building. 

    The Islandia site’s former ownership group, Axonic Capital, Taconic Capital Advisors, Onyx Equities and Jericho-based Oxford and Simpson, acquired the sprawling CA campus after paying $24.1 million for the $165.6 million commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) note on the property  and took ownership after negotiating with the borrower on a mutually agreed upon “friendly” foreclosure, as LIBN previously reported. The group had planned on developing an eight-building industrial facility before selling the Islandia property to Trader Joe’s. 

    Rendering of the new Center Bar at Jake’s 58. / Courtesy of bld Architecture

    The $210 million expansion of Jake’s Casino Hotel includes a new 110,500-square-foot building that will house 1,000 additional video slot machines and a 200-seat food court. The project also features a new three-and-a-half level, 168,000-square-foot parking garage that will accommodate about 500 vehicles, a 17,500-square-foot VIP lounge and entertainment area, a 3,500-square-foot space for weddings, parties and corporate , a “high-end” restaurant, and renovations to the existing casino, third floor offices and the hotel’s 210 guest rooms. 

    The expansion project, headed by Ronkonkoma-based Aurora Construction and designed by Patchogue-based bld Architecture, is creating 800 and more than 200 additional permanent jobs, eventually bringing the total staff at Jake’s to nearly 700 employees. 

    The Village of Islandia, which already receives $2.25 million a year from Jake’s, will begin getting $4.25 million annually once the additional slot machines go live next year.


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  • Long Island construction jobs fall for 6th straight month | Long Island Business News

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    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Long Island lost 4,900 from August 2024 to 2025

    • Sixth consecutive month of decline

    • , labor shortages, and zoning issues cited as main factors

    • Nationally, job growth slows with only 177 of 360 metros seeing gains

     

    Construction employment on Long Island saw another year-over-year drop in August, the sixth straight month of decline, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America, blaming the shrinking number of jobs nationally on tariffs and workforce shortages. 

    Nassau and Suffolk counties lost 4,900 construction jobs from August 2024 to August 2025, a 6 percent year-over-year decline, falling from 84,600 to 79,700, the AGCA reports.  

    Regionally, the number of construction jobs in New York City was down 5 percent, losing 7,900 jobs from August 2024 to August 2025, falling from 145,500 to 137,600. New York City’s was the largest of the 360 metro areas in the report.  

    Nationally, construction employment rose in 177 of 360 metro areas between August 2024 and August 2025, while it declined in 125 metro areas and was unchanged in 58 areas, according to AGCA and new government employment data. It’s the fewest number of metro areas adding jobs since 2021. 

    Association officials noted that many private-sector developers appear to be putting projects on hold amid rising prices caused by tariffs, workforce shortages and higher . 

    “Construction employment has stalled or retreated in more and more areas as owners pull back on projects in the face of higher costs,” Ken Simonson, the AGCA’s chief economist, said in a written statement. “Workforce shortages, tariffs and higher interest rates are inflating construction costs and schedules to the point where many projects no longer appear to make sense to developers.” 

    Here on Long Island, industry experts say the biggest obstacle is the lack of multifamily zoning that limits opportunities to build housing, the type of construction that’s in the greatest demand. 

    “We face the same challenges, same material costs, same labor costs, all that stuff that everyone else across the nation faces,” Mike Florio, CEO of the Long Island Builders Institute, told LIBN. There is greater opportunity when you go to the Carolinas and Austin, Texas and Florida and the Southeast, when here there’s not as much opportunity to build. The lack of approvals and permitted jobs is holding Long Island’s economy back.” 

    Nationally, there were 188,000 job openings in construction, seasonally adjusted, at the end of August, according to a government report, that’s a 38 percent decline from a year earlier and the lowest total since 2017. The data suggests even fewer areas are likely to have construction employment increases in the near future, Simonson said. A prolonged federal shutdown could also impact construction employment if public works projects are suspended or fail to get needed approvals to start because federal officials are unavailable to sign off, according to the statement. 

    Metro areas adding the most construction jobs over the last year include the Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, Va. Area, which added 8,200 jobs for a 9 percent increase; followed by the Washington D.C area, which added 6,600 jobs for a 14 percent gain; and the Chicago area gaining 5,400 jobs for a 4 percent rise. 

    Besides New York City, the metro areas seeing the largest drops in construction employment from August 2024 to August 2025 include the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. area which lost 6,500 jobs for a 6 percent drop; the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. area dropping 6,000 jobs for a 6 percent decline; and the Baton Rouge, La. area, which was down 5,700 jobs in an 11 percent decline. 


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  • Immigration enforcement impacting construction firms | Long Island Business News

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    Nearly a third of construction firms nationwide have suffered workforce shortages because of aggressive immigration enforcement. 

    That’s according to a survey by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (), which also found that 92 percent of contractors report they are having a hard time filling open positions. As a result, 88 percent of firms report having openings for craft construction workers, while 80 percent of firms have openings for salaried workers. 

    “As the survey results show, shortages aren’t just a problem for the construction industry,” Ken Simonson, AGCA’s chief economist, said during a virtual media briefing to release the results. “Construction projects of all types are being delayed because there aren’t enough qualified workers available for firms to hire.” 

    The AGCA says one reason for the shortage of workers is because federal officials have failed to properly invest in construction and education. Simonson said that 57 percent of firms report that available candidates are not qualified to work in the industry because they lack essential skills or do not have an appropriate license for the position. 

    But lately, the industry has been hurt by stepped-up immigration enforcement. Twenty-eight percent of survey respondents report being affected directly or indirectly by immigration enforcement activities during the past six months, while 5 percent reported a jobsite or offsite was visited by immigration agents. Ten percent of those surveyed said workers left or failed to appear because of actual or rumored immigration actions, and 20 percent report subcontractors lost workers. 

    While the worst of the immigration crackdown effects has happened in states like Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, construction employment on Long Island has been declining for several months. Nassau and Suffolk counties lost 3,400 from July 2024 to July 2025, a 4 percent year-over-year decline, falling from 84,300 to 80,900, the AGCA reports, and the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year declines. 

    Worker shortages were the most-commonly listed reason for project delays, according to the survey. Forty-five percent of respondents report experiencing project delays due to shortages of their own and subcontractors. Overall, 78 percent of firms report experiencing at least one project that has been delayed during the past twelve months. 

    “The survey underscores the urgent need to grow our construction workforce and illustrates there is a great need to continue our recruiting efforts and provide accelerated learning opportunities,” Boyd Worsham, president and CEO of NCCER, said in a written statement. “By expanding access to industry training and career and technical education, we can prepare people for meaningful careers, strengthen contractors’ ability to deliver projects and build the communities we all depend on.” 


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  • Long Island construction jobs fall for 5th straight month | Long Island Business News

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    Construction employment on saw another year-over-year drop in May, the fifth straight month of declines, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

    Nassau and Suffolk counties lost 3,400 from July 2024 to July 2025, a 4 percent year-over-year decline, falling from 84,300 to 80,900, the reports.  

    Regionally, the number of construction jobs in New York City was down 1 percent, losing 2,000 jobs from July 2024 to July 2025, falling from 145,300 to 143,300.  

    Nationally, construction employment rose in 184 of 360 metro areas between July 2024 and July 2025, while it declined in 120 metro areas and was unchanged in 56 areas, according to AGCA and new government employment data. 

    Association officials said a survey of their members to be released on Thursday shows many contractors want to hire more workers but cannot find enough applicants with adequate training or credentials. 

    “Construction employment has stalled or retreated in many areas for a variety of reasons,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said in an AGCA statement. “But contractors report they would hire more people if only they could find more qualified and willing workers and tougher immigration enforcement wasn’t disrupting labor supplies.” 

    Metro areas adding the most construction jobs over the last year include the  

    Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, Va. Area, which added 7,900 jobs for a 9 percent increase; followed by the Houston area, which added 6,600 jobs for a 3 percent gain; and the Cincinnati, Ohio area gaining 5,100 jobs for a 9 percent rise. 

    The metro areas seeing the largest drops in construction employment from July 2024 to July 2025 include the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. area which lost 7,200 jobs for a 6 percent drop; the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. area dropping 6,200 jobs for a 6 percent decline; and the Baton Rouge, La. area, which was down 3,900 jobs in an 8 percent decline. 


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  • LI construction employment maintains its momentum | Long Island Business News

    LI construction employment maintains its momentum | Long Island Business News

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    Construction employment on Long Island saw a year-over-year increase for the seventh month in a row in September, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

    Nassau and Suffolk counties gained 3,400 construction jobs from Sept. 2023 to Sept. 2024, a 4 percent year-over-year increase, rising from 84,100 to 87,500, the AGCA reports. 

    Regionally, the number of construction jobs in New York City was down 6 percent, losing 8,800 jobs from Sept. 2023 to Sept. 2024, falling from 144,700 to 135,900, which was the largest drop in construction jobs in the country’s 358 metro areas that AGCA tracks for that period. 

    Construction employment in the Orange/Rockland/Westchester area dropped by 5 percent, losing 2,600 jobs from Sept. 2023 to Sept. 2024, falling from 48,000 to 45,400, the AGCA reported. 

    Nationally, construction employment rose in 227 of 358 metro areas, between Sept. 2023 and Sept. 2024, while it declined in 63 metro areas and was unchanged in 68 areas, according to AGCA and new government employment data. 

    Association officials said that more metros would have construction employment gains if public officials provided more opportunities for individuals to acquire needed skills.  

    “Every month more than 60 percent of metro areas record year-over-year increases in construction employment,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said in an AGCA statement. “But contractors consistently say they can’t find enough qualified workers despite paying wages that far exceed the private sector average.” 

    Metro areas adding the most construction jobs over the last year include the Houston area, which added 16,600 jobs for a 7 percent increase; the northern Virginia area, which gained 8,300 jobs for a 10 percent gain; and the Las Vegas area, gaining 6,700 jobs for an 8 percent rise. 

    Besides New York City, the metro areas seeing the largest drops in construction employment from Sept. 2023 to Sept. 2024 include the Portland area, which lost 4,000 jobs for a 5 percent drop; and the San Jose, Calif. area, which lost 2,800 jobs for a 5 percent drop. 

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  • Gains continue for Long Island construction employment | Long Island Business News

    Gains continue for Long Island construction employment | Long Island Business News

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    Construction employment on Long Island saw a year-over-year increase for the fifth month in a row in July, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

    Nassau and Suffolk counties gained 1,900 construction jobs from July 2023 to July 2024, a 2 percent year-over-year increase, rising from 85,900 to 87,800, the AGCA reports. 

    Regionally, the number of construction jobs in New York City was down 6 percent, losing 9,100 jobs from July 2023 to July 2024, falling from 145,000 to 135,900, which was the largest drop in construction jobs in the country’s 358 metro areas that AGCA tracks for that period. 

    Construction employment in the Orange/Rockland/Westchester area dropped by 6 percent, losing 3,100 jobs from July 2023 to July 2024, falling from 48,400 to 45,300, the AGCA reported, which was the third largest decrease nationally. 

    Nationally, construction employment rose in 232 of 258 metro areas, between July 2023 and July 2024, according to AGCA and new government employment data. 

    Association officials report that their latest workforce survey shows contractors are still eager to hire more employees but face difficulty finding qualified workers.  

    “It is heartening that nearly two-thirds of metro areas have added construction workers in the past year,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said in a AGCA statement. “But contractors’ struggles to fill open positions suggest many more metros would have job gains if there were enough qualified applicants available.” 

    Metro areas adding the most construction jobs over the last year include the Houston area, which added 11,700 jobs for a 5 percent increase; the Las Vegas area, gaining 9,700 jobs for a 12 percent rise; and the Baton Rouge, La. area, which gained 7,400 jobs for a 16 percent gain. 

    Besides New York City and Orange/Rockland/Westchester, the metro areas seeing the largest drops in construction employment from July 2023 to July 2024 include the Denver area, losing 4,700 jobs for a 4 percent decrease; the Minneapolis area, which lost 4,200 jobs for a 4 percent drop; and the San Jose, Calif. area, which lost 2,600 jobs for a 5 percent drop. 

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  • Gains continue for Long Island construction employment | Long Island Business News

    Gains continue for Long Island construction employment | Long Island Business News

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    Construction employment on Long Island saw a year-over-year increase for the third month in a row in May, rebounding after nine months of declines, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

    Nassau and Suffolk counties gained 2,500 construction jobs from May 2023 to May 2024, a 3 percent year-over-year increase, rising from 84,000 to 86,500, the AGCA reports. 

    Regionally, the number of construction jobs in New York City was down 3 percent, losing 3,800 jobs from May 2023 to May 2024, falling from 144,700 to 140,900, which was the third largest drop in construction jobs in the country’s 358 metro areas that AGCA tracks for that period. 

    Construction employment in the Orange/Rockland/Westchester area dropped by 3 percent, losing 1,400 jobs from May 2023 to May 2024, falling from 47,300 to 45,900, the AGCA reported. 

    Association officials said that employment levels in some parts of the country have been impacted by changing demand for construction and ongoing labor shortages. 

    “A pullback in starts by developers of apartments, warehouses, and offices, along with spotty improvement in single-family starts, has held down job gains in some metros,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said in an AGCA statement. “But surging demand for data centers, manufacturing and power projects, and infrastructure mean contractors in many metros are still short of all the workers they need.” 

    Metro areas adding the most construction jobs over the last year include the Houston area, which added 8,400 jobs for a 4 percent increase; Baton Rouge, La. area, which gained 8,200 jobs for an 18 percent gain; and the Las Vegas area, gaining 6,900 jobs for an 8 percent rise. 

    Besides New York City, the metro areas seeing the largest drops in construction employment from May 2023 to May 2024 include the Denver area, losing 4,400 jobs for a 4 percent decrease; and the Minneapolis area, which lost 3,800 jobs for a 4 percent drop. 

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  • After long slide, LI construction employment rebounds | Long Island Business News

    After long slide, LI construction employment rebounds | Long Island Business News

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    Construction employment on Long Island saw a year-over-year increase in March, after nine months of declines, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

    Nassau and Suffolk counties gained 1,400 construction jobs from March 2023 to March 2024, a 2 percent year-over-year increase, rising from 79,400 to 80,800, the AGCA reports. 

    Regionally, the number of construction jobs in New York City was down 5 percent, losing 7,500 jobs from March 2023 to March 2024, falling from 141,900 to 134,400, which was the largest drop in construction jobs in the country’s 358 metro areas. 

    Construction employment in the Orange/Rockland/Westchester area dropped by 2 percent, losing 1,100 jobs from March 2023 to March 2024, falling from 45,600 to 44,500, the AGCA reported. 

    Association officials say the demand for a range of projects, from infrastructure to manufacturing and data centers, continues to grow in many parts of the country even as firms struggle to find enough workers. 

    “While high interest rates and post-COVID work patterns are reducing demand for certain types of projects, the overall construction market remains strong and many firms are still expanding their payrolls,” Ken Simonson, the AGCA’s chief economist, said in a written statement. “But most firms are struggling to find enough workers as the number of qualified, available workers remains insufficient to satisfy the demand.” 

    Metro areas adding the most construction jobs over the last year include the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. area, which added 6,200 jobs for a 6 percent gain; the Baton Rouge, La. Area, which gained 6,200 jobs for a 13 percent gain; and the Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas area adding 5,700 jobs for a 7 percent gain. 

    Besides New York City, the metro areas seeing the largest drops in construction employment from March 2023 to March 2024 include the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. area, which lost 5,700 jobs for a 7 percent drop and the Denver area, losing 5,600 jobs for a 5 percent decrease. 

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  • Trade group reports LI construction employment continues to decline | Long Island Business News

    Trade group reports LI construction employment continues to decline | Long Island Business News

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    Construction employment on Long Island saw a year-over-year decrease for the seventh straight month in December, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

    Nassau and Suffolk counties lost 4,500 construction jobs from Dec. 2022 to Dec. 2023, a 5 percent year-over-year drop, falling from 82,800 to 78,300, the AGCA reports.  

    The decline in construction jobs on Long Island in December was the third largest decrease out of 358 metropolitan areas in the country. 

    Regionally, the number of construction jobs in New York City was up 5 percent, gaining 7,500 jobs from Dec. 2022 to Dec. 2023, rising from 146,200 to 153,700. 

    Construction employment in the Orange/Rockland/Westchester area dropped by 10 percent, losing 4,500 jobs from Dec. 2022 to Dec. 2023, falling from 46,300 to 41,800, the second largest job decline in the country, the AGCA said. 

    Between Dec. 2022 and Dec. 2023, construction employment rose in 224 metro areas, declined in 80 areas and was unchanged in 54 areas, according to the AGCA report. 

    Association officials noted that the industry still has nearly 400,000 unfilled positions nationwide, and likely would have added even more jobs if firms could find more qualified workers to hire.  

    “Even more metro areas would have added workers if they were available,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said in an AGCA statement. “But there were 374,000 job openings in construction at the end of December according to a separate government report, illustrating the difficulty contractors face in filling positions.” 

    Metro areas adding the most construction jobs over the last year include the Dallas area, which gained 12,300 jobs for an 8 percent rise; the Phoenix area, adding 10,400 jobs for a 7 percent gain; and the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. area, which added 10,000 jobs for a 9 percent gain. 

    Besides the Orange/Rockland/Westchester and Long Island areas, the metro areas seeing the largest drops in construction employment from Dec. 2022 to Dec. 2023 include the Houston area, which lost 5,900 jobs for a 3 percent drop and the Denver area, losing 3,500 jobs for a 3 percent decrease. 



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  • Trade group says Long Island construction employment continues to slide | Long Island Business News

    Trade group says Long Island construction employment continues to slide | Long Island Business News

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    Construction employment on Long Island decreased for the fifth straight month in October. 

    Nassau and Suffolk counties lost 4,500 construction jobs from October 2022 to October 2023, a 5 percent year-over-year drop, falling from 85,200 to 80,700, according to a report from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

    The decline in construction jobs on Long Island last month was the fourth largest decrease out of 358 metropolitan areas in the country. 

    Regionally, the number of construction jobs in New York City was up 10 percent, gaining 14,600 jobs from October 2022 to October 2023, rising from 145,400 to 160,000, the largest jobs increase in the country. 

    Construction employment in the Orange/Rockland/Westchester area dropped by 9 percent, losing 4,500 jobs from October 2022 to October 2023, falling from 47,900 to 43,400. 

    Between October 2022 and October 2023, construction employment rose in 226 metro areas, declined in 54 areas and was unchanged in 78 areas, according to the AGCA report. 

    Association officials noted that tight labor market conditions kept construction employment from increasing in even more metro areas.  

    “Construction employment keeps growing in a solid majority of metro areas but many more would be in the plus-column if contractors could find qualified workers,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said in an AGCA statement. “With construction unemployment hovering around 4 percent, it’s clear there aren’t enough jobseekers available to fill all the openings.” 

    Besides New York City, metro areas adding the most construction jobs over the last year include the Dallas area, which gained 11,000 jobs for a 7 percent rise; the Baton Rouge, La. area, which added 9,400 jobs for a 20 percent gain; and the Portland, Ore. area, adding 8,300 for a 10 percent gain. 

    The metro areas seeing the largest drops in construction employment from October 2022 to October 2023 include the Houston area, which lost 11,500 jobs for a 5 percent drop and the Denver area, losing 5,300 jobs for a 5 percent decrease.  

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  • Long Island construction employment continues to drop | Long Island Business News

    Long Island construction employment continues to drop | Long Island Business News

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    Construction employment on Long Island decreased for the third straight month in August, after rising every month since August 2022. 

    Nassau and Suffolk counties lost 5,200 construction jobs from August 2022 to August 2023, a 6 percent year-over-year drop, falling from 84,800 to 79,600, according to a report from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

    The decline in construction jobs on Long Island last month was the second largest decrease out of 358 metropolitan areas in the country. 

    Regionally, the number of construction jobs in New York City was up 8 percent, gaining 11,000 jobs from August 2022 to August 2023, rising from 144,400 to 155,400, the second largest jobs increase in the country. 

    Construction employment in the Orange/Rockland/Westchester area dropped by 1 percent, losing 500 jobs from August 2022 to August 2023, falling from 46,500 to 46,000. 

    Between August 2022 and Augus 2023, construction employment rose in 223 metro areas, declined in 79 areas and was unchanged in 56 areas, according to the AGCA report. 

    Association officials said contractors report they would like to hire even more workers but are having trouble finding enough qualified ones to hire. 

    “Although construction employment is growing in most locations, contractors everywhere report they are having trouble filling positions,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said in an AGCA statement. “Many more metro areas would have shown gains if there were enough qualified workers to fill the openings.” 

    Metro areas adding the most construction jobs over the last year include the Dallas area, which gained 15,100 jobs for a 10 percent rise; the Portland, Ore. area, adding 9,200 for an 11 percent gain; and the Phoenix area, which added 7,700 jobs for a 5 percent gain. 

    The metro areas seeing the largest drops in construction employment from August 2022 to August 2023 include the Houston area, which lost 6,800 jobs for a 3 percent drop; the Miami area, losing 4,400 jobs for an 8 percent decrease; and the St. Louis area, which dropped 2,900 jobs for a 4 percent decline. 

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  • Jack Laurie Group Launches Nation’s Only Merit Shop Floor Covering Apprenticeship Program

    Jack Laurie Group Launches Nation’s Only Merit Shop Floor Covering Apprenticeship Program

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    Dept. of Labor-certified program addresses massive construction worker shortage, offers participants chance to ear free associate’s degree

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jan 18, 2018


    INDIANAPOLIS & FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, January 18, 2018 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​Jack Laurie Group (JLG), Indiana’s largest commercial flooring and interiors contractor, has partnered with Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) to offer the nation’s only merit shop floor covering apprenticeship program. The program was created to boost the talent base of skilled floor covering installers and address the construction industry’s staggering workforce shortage, which began during the Great Recession.

    With guidance from the Flooring Contractors Association (FCICA), Jack Laurie Group developed a four-year curriculum in floor covering installation that culminates with a graduate’s certification as a trade journeyman. Participants are paid for on-the-job training, and a minimum rate of pay is guaranteed throughout the program. Participants also have opportunity to earn an associate’s degree from Vincennes University completely free of charge, thanks to a grant from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

    “This is a huge opportunity for the entire construction industry and the men and women who strive to make it their profession, and we are optimistic about the impact the program will have on the local economy. I feel responsible for finding, developing and supporting the next generation of construction tradespeople.”

    Tom Postell, JLG vice president of operations and chief architect of the program

    The program has been certified by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) as an official or “bona fide” apprenticeship. This is the first time the nation’s labor department has approved an apprenticeship program in Indiana created by a private employer. Until now, all DOL-certified programs were offered by trade unions. Indiana is a Right-to-Work state, so nearly 80 percent of the construction work is completed by merit shop employees.

    “This is a huge opportunity for the entire construction industry and the men and women who strive to make it their profession, and we are optimistic about the impact the program will have on the local economy,” said Tom Postell, JLG vice president of operations and chief architect of the program. “I feel responsible for finding, developing and supporting the next generation of construction tradespeople here at Jack Laurie Group and in our communities. Ultimately, the success of our company depends upon it.”

    Following the 2008 financial crisis and housing debacle, construction-related occupations declined by nearly 1 million or 16 percent overall, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of those who left never returned, even when the industry rebounded, instead pursuing jobs that were considered less cyclical. This led to a critical shortage in skilled workers, particularly in the 25- to 45-year-old age group, and higher wages in the industry.

    Hardwood flooring installers make an average of $52,477 per year, according to Salary Expert. The average journeyman at Jack Laurie Group also makes north of $50,000 annually, and the minimum starting rate is $18 an hour.

    The apprenticeship program is the latest addition to JLG’s Jack Laurie University, an in-house employee development program that offers ongoing training and certifications in a variety of services and professions.

    The apprenticeship includes classroom, lab and field training by JLG’s own National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)-certified instructors. More specifically, requirements include 8,000 on-the-job hours and 576 classroom and lab hours. The program is completely tuition free, but participants must have a high school diploma or GED. Participation in the Vincennes University associate’s degree program is optional.

    The Indiana/Kentucky chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors will host a graduation ceremony at Lucas Oil Stadium, including dinner for two and a tour of the stadium, for participants who complete the program.

    Interested candidates are asked to visit http://jacklauriegroup.com/careers/. Click on the ‘register’ tab and fill out the short contact form.

    About Jack Laurie Group

    Jack Laurie Group (JLG) is Indiana’s largest provider of interior contracting services, including commercial and residential flooring, athletic floors, framing, drywall, paint, ceilings and facilities cleaning services.

    Locally owned and operated, JLG has offices and showrooms in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. The company was founded by Jack Laurie in 1950 with nothing more than a tiny rented garage, an old Chesterfield cigarette truck and plenty of gritty determination. We have grown to nearly 300 employees, and our customers include many of the state’s largest employers.

    The JLG motto is “Making Spaces Better Places to Work and Live.” But beyond that, we’re obsessed with providing customer service like you’ve never seen. We’re so determined to impress you and blow away the competition that we offer the World Famous Puppy Guarantee. If a customer feels like we’ve dropped the ball in any way, we will credit their account for the service AND make a matching donation to Make-A-Wish in their name. If they’re still not happy, we’ll given them a puppy because … well … it’s a puppy.

    About Associated Builders and Contractors

    Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national trade association that advances and defends the principles of merit-based shops in the construction industry, representing merit shop contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and related firms in the United States.

    The Indiana/Kentucky Chapter ranks in the top five in the nation for membership size, and in the top three for education and training. The local chapter has received numerous awards for grassroots initiatives, internal operations, member retention and more.

    Contact:

    Ashley Smith
    603-988-6758 (c)
    ashley.smith@jacklauriegroup.com

    Source: Jack Laurie Group

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