Career Expo: Construction Workers Wanted To Build New Red Wings Arena, District Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - If you're looking for work and want to be involved with building history in Detroit -- literally -- you might be in luck.
A career expo is being held on Tuesday at the Cobo Center for residents to learn more information about construction jobs related to the new Red Wings arena and surrounding "District Detroit" mixed-use development.
The Detroit Resident Career Opportunity Expo will help residents access the resources to prepare them for construction and construction-related jobs with the new arena and district. Residents will have the opportunity to:
- Meet with career counselors for a personalized skills assessment
- Meet with Skilled Trades Associations and employers
- Learn about available training and financial aid programs
- Get help with GED preparation and testing
- Improve resume writing and interview skills
- Connect with resources for childcare, legal assistance and more
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Douglas Diggs, president of Heritage Development Services, said no jobs will be offered at the expo, but Detroiters will be put in a position to succeed at securing jobs that will open in the future.
"We're introducing Detroit residents to assistance providers to help them do things like get their GED, get involved in the skilled trades, even learning about what the skilled trades programs are and the opportunities there are within those trades," Diggs told WWJ's Vickie Thomas.
Overall, employers will be looking to fill approximately 8,300 construction and construction-related jobs, including more than 1,000 permanent positions. Detroit residents are expected to fill 51 percent of the construction jobs related to the project.
Job openings include carpenters, cement masons, construction laborers, electrical workers, glazier and glass workers, iron workers, millwrights, operating engineers, outside lineman, plumbers, roofers and waterproofers, sheet metal workers, boilermakers, bricklayers, heat and frost insulators, pipefitters, painters and tile masons.
"The bulk of the construction will not start until next spring or summer, 2015. So, this gives people an opportunity to kind of get their ducks in a row, get involved in training, pick if they want to be an electrician or carpenter, figure out a place where they can fit into this opportunity," Diggs said.
The expo takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Cobo Center, 1 Washington Boulevard. Complimentary parking will be provided at the Cobo Center rooftop parking structure.
For more information, visit www.DistrictDetroit.com/jobs.
