Looking for a job? Local contractors say there are construction jobs available for individuals who are willing to work hard.
According to Sam Moraco, president of MLC Building Company in Clarkston, ‘There are currently few apprentices because the construction field has been down for the past eight years. No one is learning the trades. To survive the recession, owners and only a few of the top tradesmen remained working to keep the company alive.? But Moraco said as the economy is picking up, there are jobs available in the construction trades.
Andrew Olafsson, who heads Clarkston based Northend Builders with his father Bud, said, ‘the lack of construction workers nationwide is a problem.? Olafsson said many construction workers moved out of state during the recession and a lot of the experienced workers have reached retirement age.
According to Olafsson, rough carpenters are at a premium. ‘You can wait months for a rough carpentry crew. Rough carpentry is physically hard work.? Top pay for a rough carpenter is about $25 according to Olafsson. Both Moraco and Olafsson say new workers in the construction field will start at about $10 an hour but can improve their hourly wage if they are willing to work.
Moraco said, ‘the construction field has been a roller coaster ride, but contractors are doing a lot of remodeling work. While working in the construction field, you will learn something you can use for the rest of your life versus working in food service or retail.?
Both contractors said having a good work ethic is extremely important to work in the construction field.
‘Contractors have to generate money and you have to work to generate money,? Moraco said. ‘We need workers that see what has to be done and not someone that constantly has to be told what to do. If you start at 8 a.m., you need to be on the job 15 minutes early so you are ready to swing the hammer at 8 a.m.?
Moraco commented on young adults and the use of technology.
‘When using their computers or phones, they are seeing things in one dimension, versus working in construction where we need workers that see in two dimensions for mechanics and how to put things together,? he said. ‘There doesn’t seem to be any memory training with young people. They see things one day and then forget it. We need workers to remember what they see.?
Dick Moscovic, construction instructor at Oakland Technical High School, added, ‘we need to put things in kid’s hands and they will learn from the fingertips back.? Moscovic believes there are so many opportunities for both males and females in the construction industry.
Moscovic explained technology has cut into the time young people used to go outside and build something, either work on their car or build something with their dad.
He added, ‘people don’t realize there is so much technology in the construction field today.?
Moscovic, who works with senior level students coming from high schools in Clarkston, Waterford, Brandon, Holly and Lake Orion, agreed with Moraco about kids working in one dimension. He said visualization and measurement are extremely important for construction workers. He explained to be able to take a piece of metal, measure it, cut and fit it around a two by four, you need these skills.
As a teacher, Moscovic also agreed young people need to improve their work ethic. He suggested many students are not involved in extra-curricular activities or athletics have difficulty with their work ethic. He said, ‘if you run marathons, you need to exercise. Hard work is very satisfying. We need to build in work ethics in our classrooms.?
Oakland Technical High School (OTC) graduates approximately 20 to 30 seniors who have completed one or two years in the construction trade program. As part of this fall’s program, the students are building a 12 by 16 shed, 12 foot high for the Ortonville Cemetery Association.
Terry Beltramo, president of the association said the building will be used to store their 3 X 5 feet flags and their 10 feet poles. While the students are receiving ‘real life work experiences,? the cemetery association is saving approximately 50 percent of the cost of the building
Brandon Jardin, a Waterford senior, said, ‘I enjoy learning with my hands and learning faster than in the classroom.? He added he will be working in the masonry trade while attending Oakland Community College following graduation.
‘OTC graduates are placed with building contractors before they graduate,? Moscovic said.
The contractors added young people who want to get a job in the construction industry, should call contractors and ask if they are hiring. Many times you are interviewed on the telephone, according to Moraco. For names of Clarkston area contractors, they recommend calling the Chamber of Commerce.