Veterans learn about apprenticeship opportunities at Columbus job fair

About 75 veterans interested in learning about careers in the construction field attended a Columbus-area veterans’ job fair in late June.

The Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council partnered with Franklin County Recorder Daniel J. O’Connor to put on the Job and Resource Fair that focused on educating the region’s veterans about building trades apprenticeship opportunities, while also making them aware of some the county’s veteran services.

“It was very well attended,” said Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC  Executive Secretary about the Job and Resource Fair. “Lots of veterans and lots of community members attended the event.”

Hager credited the Recorder’s office for helping get the word out to the veteran’s community.

“Danny O’Connor and the Recorder’s office did a great job of publicity,” said Hager. “There is a high unemployment rate for returning veterans in Franklin County. All veterans come through the Recorder’s office for their ID cards, so it’s a natural fit to partner with Recorder O’Connor.”

The event was put on to help stem the tide of unemployed or underemployed Gulf War-era II veterans in central Ohio.

Representatives from 15 trades affiliated with the C/COBCTC were on hand June 29 to discuss the apprenticeship process and opportunities within the union construction trades with the veterans in attendance.

The roughly 75 veterans who attended the Job and Resources Fair learned they have many of the qualities needed to succeed in the building trades including good attendance, a hard work ethic and a sense of brotherhood and unity, especially being part of a team – all which are integral to the trades.

Additionally, the Columbus Building Trades, like many of Ohio’s building trades councils, need new tradesmen and tradeswomen. As members retire and market share increases, some Locals are having a difficult time finding trained and skilled workers to fill all the jobs.

“We are here to provide opportunities for anyone in our jurisdiction who needs a career,” Hager said. “What better way to honor our returning veterans then to put them on a direct path to the middle class?”

Hager said many of the veterans who attended have already signed up with a Local to join an apprenticeship program.