Hager: Infrastructure investment means good paying jobs for Ohioans

Have you listened to the recent appearance of Dorsey Hager, the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, on America’s Workforce Radio?

During his monthly appearance, Hager and AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc discussed a recently released plan for federally funded infrastructure improvements and what they will mean for jobs in central Ohio. 

Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC Executive Secretary-Treasurer

Hager said our nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. The work to rebuild the highways, bridges and electrical grids will create thousands of good paying union jobs in Ohio and supercharge the economy. 

The Biden Administration has been discussing a variety of plans to revitalize America in the midst of the pandemic. The infrastructure bill is a major foundation of that effort. Many are optimistic it can be passed, including Hager. He believes the bill would lead to many substantial good paying jobs in the building trades, if it becomes a reality. 

Due to its massive size and scope, the proposed infrastructure bill would bring about much needed rejuvenation to the economies of central Ohio, Hager said. It would create good paying union jobs and help grow the tax base. Many of these jobs will continue to exist long after the work is complete.

America’s Workforce Radio Host Ed “Flash” Ferenc

Ohio’s construction industries are booming, Hager said. He pointed to the possibility of a new data center for either Google or Facebook to be built in central Ohio, which would generate thousands of good paying jobs for the members of his affiliated Local Unions. 

Hager also discussed recent reports about an increasing number of women entering the trades. These jobs can be highly appealing to women because of guaranteed equal pay, benefits and opportunities to advance. Compared to other sectors, women have much to gain by working in the union construction industry.

He also praised the continued success of the Driving Futures and Building Futures programs that have helped deliver good paying job opportunities to numerous residents of underserved communities in Columbus. Participants can begin down the path to a great career in high demand fields without being saddled with expensive student debt.