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Construction Careers

See Our Construction Careers Below:

CAD Drafter

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Intro to Construction

Why is Construction a Good Career Path? 

Construction offers a diverse and potentially rewarding career path attracting individuals with various interests and skill sets. Here are some reasons why construction can be a good choice for your professional journey:

The construction industry is expected to grow steadily in the coming years, creating a high demand for skilled professionals across various trades. This translates to greater job stability and potentially lower unemployment rates compared to some other sectors.

Construction isn’t a singular career option. It encompasses a wide range of roles, from laborers and carpenters to electricians, plumbers, and engineers, each requiring different skill sets and offering unique career paths. This allows you to find a niche that aligns with your interests and qualifications.

Construction offers a practical learning environment where you can gain experience and develop skills through hands-on work. This can be particularly appealing for individuals who prefer learning by doing rather than solely through traditional classroom settings.

Skilled professionals in construction can earn competitive salaries and benefits depending on their experience, specific trade, and geographical location. This can provide financial security and support a comfortable lifestyle.

Working in construction allows you to see tangible results of your labor. Witnessing the completion of buildings, infrastructure projects, or other structures you helped create can provide a strong sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

The construction industry offers various opportunities for growth and advancement. You can gain additional skills through training or education, move into supervisory or leadership roles, or even start your own business in the future.

A career in construction can foster personal growth by developing valuable skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication. These skills can be beneficial not only in your professional life but also in personal endeavors.

Construction contributes significantly to the development and maintenance of our built environment. By working in this industry, you can contribute to building structures and infrastructure that benefit communities and improve people’s lives.

  • Physically demanding work: Many construction jobs require physical strength, stamina, and the ability to work in various weather conditions.

  • Long hours and potentially unpredictable schedules: Depending on the project and company, working overtime or irregular hours may be necessary to meet deadlines.

  • Potential safety hazards: Construction sites can present safety risks, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols and constant vigilance.

Who is Construction a Good Fit For?

Construction can be a rewarding career path for individuals with the following traits and interests:

  1. Enjoy working with your hands and physically active jobs: Many construction roles involve physical activity, using tools, and building things.

  2. Have good problem-solving and critical thinking skills: Construction projects require the ability to identify and solve problems that arise on the job site.

  3. Are detail-oriented and quality-focused: Ensuring accuracy and precision is crucial in construction, from measurements and calculations to final project execution.

  4. Thrive in collaborative work environments: Construction often involves teamwork with diverse tradespeople to achieve a common goal.

  5. Enjoy working outdoors and in various weather conditions: Many construction projects take place outdoors, and workers may need to adapt to different weather conditions.

  6. Have a strong safety ethic and are willing to follow safety protocols: Safety is paramount in construction, and adhering to protocols is essential for everyone’s well-being.

Additionally, some specific roles might require additional qualifications:

  1. Operating engineers: Often require specialized training and certification to operate heavy machinery.

  2. Electricians, plumbers, and other skilled trades: Typically need to complete apprenticeship programs or vocational training to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge.

Overall, construction offers a diverse range of career opportunities for individuals seeking a hands-on, challenging, and rewarding work environment. If you possess the necessary skills, interests, and commitment to safety, construction could be a great career path for you.

A group of graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outdoors. Text on the image reads "Over $12 million in scholarships being awarded." These scholarships are paving the way for promising careers.
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Stephanie underwood - Chief financial Officer

Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.

Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.

Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.

 

 

 

Adult Learner College Scholarship

The Adult Learner Scholarship application is closed. Please click GET STARTED to be added to communication reminders on when to apply during the next open cycle.

Program offers:

  • Up to $25,000 paid directly to the college over the course of up to six years.
  • Once awarded, the Scholar can enroll full or part-time the fall semester following awarding.
  • Scholarship can be used at any of our college partners. See our current list of partners HERE.
  • Scholarship can be used towards an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a credit-bearing credential. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a high school graduate or GED holder (24 years or older).
  • Live in one of the six eligible counties. (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson; Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  • Be income eligible. (FASFA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less)
  • Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have not previously been awarded a KC Scholars Scholarship (Traditional or Adult Learner).
  • Is not currently enrolled in a Great Jobs KC Skills Training Program.
  • US Citizenship/Residency is not required to apply.

If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE

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Jimmy Swift - Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships. 

Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.  

Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country.  Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.

Great Jobs KC
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