The first week of May is an exciting time for Ohioans with two annual observances to learn and grow: Construction Safety Week and In-Demand Jobs Week. This timing is not a coincidence but rather indicative of the important role that both safety and skill will play in the future of our construction industry.
First, to summarize these two weeklong events:
Construction Safety Week is the time for our industry to come together on a national level in celebration of our combined efforts to work safely every day as well as inspire every person at every level to recommit to building a safer, stronger industry.
How can you get involved?
- Take the Strong Voices, Safe Choices pledge to show your dedication to a safer construction culture.
- Learn more about daily event topics here.
- Download resources like the Construction Safety Week Toolbox Talks and At-Home Family Activities.
In-Demand Jobs Week is an opportunity for Ohioans to learn about the most needed jobs statewide and to understand the best path to get there. The most in-demand jobs are identified as those that pay a sustainable wage of $14.10 per hour or more and offer a promising future based on a higher annual job growth and job opening statewide average.
How can you get the most out of In-Demand Jobs Week?
- Students and job seekers, use this week to learn about the most rewarding careers in your communities.
- Educators, make In-Demand Jobs Week a priority in your classroom. The best way to prepare your students for their future is to inspire them.
- No matter your role or future goals, explore this interactive map to find events near you.
Ohio currently has more than 200 In-Demand Occupations. Learn more about in-demand jobs here: pic.twitter.com/R2708Vf1fH
— Lt. Governor Jon Husted (@LtGovHusted) March 22, 2019
Both awareness weeks remind us that there’s more than one way to take our industry forward. When it comes to safety, we must prioritize both mental health and physical well-being. As for job preparation, Ohio’s Career Pathways to Success range from Career Technical Education to Pre-Apprenticeships, College Credit Plus to Industry-Recognized Credentials.
But safety and skills training cannot be considered in isolation, they must be utilized in unison due to their cyclical nature. To help people see the potential in jobs and make them more in demand, we as an industry need to be focused on safety. After all, no one would sign up for a job they don’t feel safe doing. When we create a culture of safety, we will be able to inspire new individuals to join us and fill the labor gap, bolstering our industry better than ever.
The great news? Our years of combined efforts have already put construction careers in the most in-demand category. Today, the top three construction industry jobs in our state are:
- Construction Laborers
With more than 6,000 openings, this role is one of Ohio’s top 10 most in-demand jobs.
- Electricians
With a projected annual growth of 260 employed electricians, this role is expected to stay in demand for years to come.
- Plumbers/Pipefitters/Steamfitters
With a median salary of $59,000, this role will pay well consistently for the foreseeable future.
This is an important week for all of us in the construction industry. How will you celebrate Construction Safety Week and In-Demand Jobs Week? Share with us on social @ibuildamerica_ohio.
