Second-chance Hiring In The Construction Industry

Construction demand continues to rise, yet our industry still faces the challenge of a dwindling workforce. Efforts to recruit students and veterans are well-documented, but there’s more to be done — including creating opportunities for those with a history in the criminal justice system. Data from The Sentencing Project shows nearly one in three adults — as many as 100 million Americans — have some kind of criminal record. But even a minor offense, like a misdemeanor or arrest without conviction, can create lifelong barriers to reentering into the workforce. Too often, qualified candidates who’ve served their obligations to the justice system are automatically disqualified after a background check. Yet, research shows these individuals perform well, have lower turnover rates and improve workforce inclusivity.

To help fill our current skills shortage, the construction industry has a unique opportunity to give more people with criminal backgrounds a second chance.

Enter the BE4ALL initiative, a joint effort supported by SMACNA, SMART and the International Training Institute, which aims to strengthen the unionized sheet metal industry through mutual respect and belonging for all. In August, BE4ALL launched its new website, Beforall.org, providing SMACNA and SMART members with resources to positively impact the industry’s work culture.

Among those educational resources is the Second Chances Learning Journey, an in-depth webinar featuring personal stories of second-chance hiring in the construction industry. This particular episode resonated with SMACNA Greater Chicago member Manny Rey, owner and founder of Craft Mechanical.

“I’m not shy about letting people know I have a criminal background. I was stealing car stereos when I was younger, got caught and went to jail. They were my mistakes, but I learned from them,” Rey said. “I’m a success story, but there’s a huge percentage of Americans who’ve made mistakes that’ve deterred them from having a prosperous career. My goal is to work with a nonprofit that helps people with criminal backgrounds and provide them with a sense of dignity, respect and career opportunities.”

There are many ways for industry leaders to help promote second chances, including engaging with diverse groups, collaborating with municipalities to support reentry initiatives and hosting job fairs/employment workshops.