Building Futures Program helps put homeless man on a pathway to a middle-class life

Don’t miss the most recent appearance of Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey on America’s Work Force Radio.

Hager told AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc that the Columbus Building Futures program is set to start its second class in June. They currently have a waiting list of over 170 people.

Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC Executive Secretary-Treasurer

America’s Workforce Radio Host Ed “Flash” Ferenc

The program was designed to help underserved members of the local community and remove barriers that prevent them from finding work. According to Hager, convincing people they can work with their hands, improving their problem-solving skills and the importance of vocation training, are the top challenges.

Hagar told Ferenc about a great success story from the first Building Futures class, where one member was homeless and only had a bike as a means of transportation. That individual graduated from the Building Futures program and joined the Laborers’ Union as an apprentice, where he got a heavy highway job and is now earning just over $24 per hour, plus all the overtime he can work, in addition to health and retirement benefits. In a span of 14 weeks, he went from having nothing to now owning a serviceable car and leasing an apartment.

This young man was one of 21 graduates from the program’s first class and some of those now apprentices may have the opportunity to work on some of the region’s new projects.

Hager updated Ferenc on some of the big projects that will be breaking ground later this year, including the 26-story Millennium Tower, which will be first new high-rise in Columbus in about 18-years. The tower is currently awaiting approval on financing.

Other upcoming projects include Phase II of the Franklin County Jail and an Amazon Fulfillment Center coming to central Ohio.

They also talked about the region’s high growth rate, how Ohio Republicans cannot agree on a new Speaker of the House following the resignation of Speaker Cliff Rosenberger and the Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals matchup. Listen to the entire segment by clicking here.