Shortage of Skilled Construction Workers

The biggest problem that road construction companies have -- particularly in a growing economy -- is finding adequate numbers of skilled workers to get the job done. In addition, on any federally-funded highway project worth $10,000 or more, contractors must make a good-faith effort to hire women for at least 6.9 percent on each given Federally-funded project.

 They must also hire a certain percentage of minorities and provide a minimum amount of on-the-job training. According to Thomas Shaw, the OJT Training Coordinator for the Alabama Department of Transportation, this requirement is often very difficult and very expensive to comply with.

OIC Training Program

Central Alabama OIC, Inc., with help from the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, is now sponsoring a training program for people interested in working in highway construction. A 60-hour training program is open to everyone but is geared toward welfare recipients. Many of those recipients happen to be women who have little or no employment history. The match for road construction companies who are looking for trained and eager workers is almost perfect.

ALDOT/OIC On-The-Job Training Supportive Service Wins National Award Click here to read more

A Hand Up, Not a Handout

Mrs. Connie Harper, Founder and CEO of Central Alabama OIC, Inc., believes that "people must be given a hand up instead of handouts... It's all about self-help ... saying to people that they must be responsible for their actions." Those students (mostly women) who have already graduated from the specialized OIC construction training will testify that the course is tough and intensive. The students receive no money while attending the classes, so the motivation to complete the training comes from a deep desire to succeed and start to work to support themselves and their families.

Ongoing Support for New Hires

OIC doesn't just train and place people at job sites and then go away. OIC's recruitment coordinator, Christine Rudolph, will tell you that OIC never, ever let's its "clients" fall through the cracks. "Our goal is retention", she says.

For More Information

Click here to contact the Central Alabama OIC, Inc. in Montgomery, AL for more information about the OJT/Supportive Services Program. The 60-hour course is being conducted in several cities in Alabama and their is no cost for this training.