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Frequently Asked Questions

The construction industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country and needs 650,000 additional workers to keep up with demand in the coming years.

Knowledge (what you know)

  • Completion of high school/GED.
  • Eager and active participant in apprenticeship.

Competencies (what you can do)

  • Gain skills through classwork, volunteering, and skilled trade apprenticeship.

Experience (what you have done)

  • Participation in activities that support future competencies and knowledge.

Personal Attributes (who you are)

  • Drug free
  • Prompt
  • Persistent
  • Coachable

The primary difference between a job and a career is the time investment. A job is a short-term commitment to make money, while a career is a commitment with opportunities for progress and growth. A career includes completing job tasks while gaining new skills and finding ways to grow.

Benefits are the additional ways that your employer pays you for your work, above and beyond your paycheck. This can include helping pay for healthcare (health insurance), save for retirement (401k), and take time off work (paid time off). When an employer provides these benefits, individuals do not have to rely on their base salary to cover these needs.

Most skilled trades offer on-the-job training, and the average starting wage for an apprentice is about $21/hour. That will double once you complete an apprenticeship and become a journeyperson.

An apprentice is a skilled trade student who attends classes and completes supervised work with tools to learn construction fundamentals.

To begin an apprenticeship in KC, contact the trade union you are interested in.

Carpenter

Contact Bob Hale
Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council
816.471.0883 or website@carpdc.org
Learn More

Laborer

Contact Donald Slack
Construction Craft Laborers
816.331.6862 or director@gkcltc.org
Learn More

Ironworker

Contact Bob Kanatzar
Ironworkers Local 10
816.595.4110 or bob@mokanironworkers.com
Learn More

Cement Mason

Contact Tina Read
Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons
816.471.0880 x 1332 or tread@opcmia518.org
Learn More

Brick Layer

Contact RJ Heinse
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers
816.471.0880 x 1348 or rheinse@wetrainbac15.org
Learn More

Operator

Contact Stoney Cox
International Union of Operating Engineers
816.640.2336 or resume@iuoelocal101.org
Learn More

  • Construction engineering
  • Construction science
  • Civil engineering
  • Construction management

Check out some of our partner schools…

University of Kansas

University of Central Missouri

Missouri S&T

Kansas State University

Internships are programs in which college students spend time working for a company while being supervised and learning from professionals. Some internships are paid, but all are not. Internships are available to students who are enrolled with and paying tuition to a college or university.

An apprenticeship is a free, on-the-job training program where students are paid to work on projects while learning from and being supervised by skilled trades professionals. Apprentices spend approximately two days per month in a classroom or training facility and the rest of their time is spent earning income and benefits.

Building the Future is a K-12 workforce readiness initiative centered on construction careers. Through engagement with local schools and educational nonprofits, students will gain hands-on experience and awareness of the many opportunities available in the industry.

Check out our Educator Resources. Are you located in Kansas City? Request engagement in your classroom.

JE Dunn is a general contractor providing exceptional construction management services for commercial building projects. JE Dunn works as a partner to our clients by first understanding their goals and customers and then providing transformational solutions with certainty of results.

The organization was founded by John Ernest “Ernie” Dunn in Kansas City in 1924 and has grown to 26 offices across the United States with 3,000 employees.

JE Dunn has a strong commitment to giving back, investing 10% of pre-tax net income in the local communities we build, and serving future generations through community impact programs like Building the Future.

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