Earlier this year, the CIRI Careers Video was created to promote the work opportunities and career potential presented by the heavy and highway construction industry. Produced with content/production support from the New England Laborers and Building Futures Rhode Island, the 7-minute video has been presented to high school students via guidance counselors across the state. As a result of this outreach and internal efforts by CIRI, the video has been viewed nearly 800 times on YouTube.
A second phase for CIRI’s industry awareness effort is planned for the coming months, using social media channels that are frequented by young career seekers. These are 20-somethings who are realizing they need to find a profession with higher pay, substantial benefits and genuine long-term potential. We believe this audience represents the most promising sector in terms of recruitment — at a time when the competition for potential candidates is especially intense.
“The fact our industry offers free training and paid apprenticeships through the New England Laborers and other trade unions is a major advantage,” says Tim Scanlon, CIRI executive director. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for young people to earn as they learn, and to get started on a solid career path. Plus, they can do this without taking on any tuition debt from a college or trade school.”