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Low Income Job Seekers Hope Construction Is A Promising Industry

Ambriehl Crutchfield
/
WVXU
Justice Thompkins goes to construction job fair for fresh start.

The loud noise and vibration of nail guns scare Justice Thompkins but she likes it. The Life Skills senior is shifting her career interest from cosmetology to construction.

"But you know what I love most about construction? When you get done building a house or working on a house," Justice said. "You look at it and you're like 'I did this.'"

Justice is one of 60 candidates who attended a construction job fair in Bond Hill today. Cincinnati nonprofits and businesses hosted the fair for low income residents. The private event was for people who completed the Urban League, Easter Seals and Community Action Agency workforce development programs.

During Justice's training with Easter Seals she said she learned various skills including leadership, job readiness and construction. "If something is wrong you can't just say 'that's stupid you messed up'," Justice said. " You gotta be nice about it and have some respect too."

O'Rourke CFO Ryan Faulhaber said the low unemployment rate throughout the country and Ohio is not impacting his company's ability to recruit. "Demolition is a young persons' game. We are always looking to attract hard working talent and better our workforce," Faulhaber said.

During the event job candidates were able to speak with recruiters from ten Cincinnati-area companies.

Credit Ambriehl Crutchfield / WVXU
/
WVXU
Thompkins speaks to company recruiter about job opportunities.

Justice said with school wrapping up she is looking forward to joining the workforce.

"The way I was raised, I feel like you shouldn’t do a job because of the money. You should do it because you actually want to do it," she said. "If you're working for the money it feels like you're just working."