Hardhats On, Hands On, It’s On!

“Our client and our partner in this initiative has so many active projects—and such a need for skilled trade work—they needed their own recruitment program,” said Lizzy Pirrung, a workforce development specialist in our Des Moines office, adding that Advancing Careers in Trades is open to anyone, from graduates and young adults just joining the workforce to folks from other industries looking to make a change. The emphasis on the intensive nature of the program is central to its appeal. “We’re saying to the participants that they don’t have to go through an eight-month program to learn the essentials and start working. They can do it faster than that and be paying their bills with the training.” And if they finish the eight weeks strong, they’re guaranteed a full-time position on day one of week nine.”

The program begins with four weeks of classroom work, followed by four weeks of hands-on fieldwork, all of which is paid. The program helps participants develop the practical knowledge and skills related to essential trades including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, concrete, and sheet metal work and, upon successful completion of their training, graduates can earn full-time employment with our active subcontractors.

“We’re pleased to be in a position to expand our local program to four cohorts this year and we’re expecting to see more than 60 people graduate by December,” said Lizzy, adding that the success of the program doesn’t just benefit Turner and our client on the projects we’re doing together. “It’s also much broader than that. The program empowers people and brings new energy into our industry.”

Piloted in 2019, the program is now active on jobsites across more than ten states.