CONSTRUCTION COUNCIL TO HOST JOB EVENT

Non-union group will also give away school supplies

With students around San Diego heading back to school, a new construction council that advocates for non-union training programs is hosting a job fair and school supply giveaway this week.

The “Contractors Who Care” event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, in the National Black Contractors Association office’s parking lot, 6125 Imperial Ave. Participants must first register at eccsd.org.

The Equity Construction

Council of San Diego County will distribute about $10,000 worth of school supplies, including about 100 free electronic tablets, backpacks and more, along with free haircuts, to high school juniors and seniors.

The event will also feature a job fair where students who are nearing graduation and their parents can learn more about construction apprenticeship opportunities from trade organization representatives and contractors.

The Equity Construction Council announced earlier this month that it would focus on defeating a November ballot measure that, if approved by voters, would overturn the city’s decade-old ban on union-friendly project labor agreements. The council argues a repeal would hurt non-union construction training programs.

The organization aims to advance equity in San Diego’s workforce by expanding access to construction careers with programs that don’t require apprentices to pay union dues.

“Our inaugural event is to promote inclusivity and get (information on) construction careers out to people who may have historically not been as involved,” construction council president Sean Dowsing said.

Abdur-rahim Hameed, national president of the Black Contractors Association, said the event will be one of many ways the council will work to help underrepresented communities access jobs.

“There’s plenty of jobs, and this is how they can build a pathway out of poverty and underresourced communities,” added treasurer Dru Wells.

The event is led and sponsored by the construction council, in partnership with the National Black Contractors Association, Western Electrical Contractors Association, Associated General Contractors of San Diego, Helix Electric and S Harris Communications.

emily.alvarenga @sduniontribune.com