• There are more than 200 construction companies in the Northland.
  • In 2006, the average Northland median hourly earnings for electricians was $24.18; for construction laborers, $18.80; sheet metal workers $24.91; and carpenters $20.24 per hour.
  • Northland wages are, on average, aligned similarly with the state averages of Minnesota & Wisconsin.
  • Local laborers are affiliated with over 40 local unions, which maintain headquarters in our area.
  • Learn who the leading Building Contractors are in the region. (PDF)

The WiCC Story
An Economic Justice Project

In May 2001 Women's Transitional Housing Coalition, Inc. (WTHC) a non-profit housing developer and service provider in Duluth initiated a new program with 3 primary goals:

  1. to teach women construction skills,
  2. to utilize women crews to work on renovation and new construction projects, and
  3. to assist women in entering jobs that pay livable wages.

During the first year WTHC raised funds for the project, worked on developing a hands-on training curriculum, and identified projects that women could work on to gain skills that would lead to jobs in the construction trades.

WTHC staff also approached local job training programs asking them to refer women to the project. The City of Duluth, The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and NEMOJT all came on board and began referring low-income women they were working with to the project for work experience. Women who came in through the job training programs were paid through the job training programs for 400+ hours of training.

First-time WiCC rooferDuring the first year, the women who entered the WTHC's Women in Construction Training Program, worked on a variety of projects including:

  • working with a local construction company to build a $250,000 home;
  • removing a tar and gravel flat roof and installing a new rubber membrane roof;
  • working on a Habitat for Humanity home;
  • and siding a duplex for Northern Communities Land Trust.

By the end of the first year over 20 women were involved in the project and there was a waiting list for new women interested in joining the project.  >> read more



Projected types and number of openings in construction over the next 10 years.
  • Job opportunities for electricians, general construction laborers and sheet metal workers is expected to grow faster than average in our region between 2002-12.
  • Carpenters, bricklayers, painters, carpet layers, and roofers can expect average growth in our region through 2012.


Links to schools/training programs in the northland with building trades preparation courses.



For more information about career opportunities in the building trades, please contact the following:
 
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