Ex-felons who are looking for a good career field to go into may want to consider construction. The construction field offers good paying jobs for those who are willing to do the work. The good news is that many jobs in this field will also provide you with the training needed to do the work. There are numerous construction jobs for ex-felons, you just have to know what they are and where to look for them.
Construction jobs are typically physical in nature. They are jobs that require you to be physically active, helping to build or repair roads, homes, buildings, and more. They may require working when it’s hot outside, and can be tiring because of how much labor is involved. Due to the nature of what is involved, they do pay good wages in exchange.
Types of Construction Jobs for Ex-Felons :::: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are numerous jobs that fall into the construction category. This is good, because it provides a wider variety of construction jobs for ex-felons to consider. Some of the types of positions that are considered to be in the construction field include carpenters, electricians, flooring installers, grounds maintenance workers, hazardous materials removal workers, masonry workers, material moving operators, painters, and plumbers.
In the construction field there are some jobs that take years of experience to be able to do, such as an electrician. However, there are some jobs that do not require any or much experience at all. Many construction jobs will hire you and provide you with the training that is needed to do the job. You may be able to get an apprenticeship where you spend a couple of years working with someone to learn how to do a job, but you are paid all along.
Most construction sites offer helper positions, where consists of having people on the job that do whatever type of tasks are needed. Those positions are usually at most larger construction sites and they don’t require experience. They are a good way to get hired into the field and then you can work your way up into other positions.
There are also some trade schools that have programs that will train you for construction positions. Check in your area to see if those programs exist. They will typically be apprentice-style, which means you will be earning a salary as you do the job and learn the field. They are a good way to break into the field and still get paid at the same time. Schools and programs like this are found in many medium to larger cities in around the country.
Depending on the area of the country you live in, some of these jobs could see a lot of growth. If you live in an area of the country where there is a lot of building taking place, then there will be a lot of jobs for these positions. If you live in an area of the country where there is not a lot of building going on then there may be some jobs available in construction, but they probably won’t be in abundance.
Where to Find Construction Jobs for Ex-Felons
Finding the construction jobs that are available is usually easy. You can always look for construction jobs online. Today, there are numerous online job boards, as well as social media groups that focus on available openings. You can also post in those groups asking if any of the places are hiring. There is a lot of online research that can be done to find job postings for positions in the construction industry.
Other places you can look for construction jobs include the company websites. If you do a search for construction companies in your area you can then go to their individual websites to see if they have information about jobs they are currently hiring for. Many will let you apply on their website, while others may state that you need to stop into their office to fill out an application in person.
Another way to find construction jobs in your area is to look around at where construction work is taking place. If you see houses being built, for example, stop in and speak to the person in charge. Ask if they are doing any hiring and how you would go about applying. They may even have a sign up at the construction site saying they are hiring people at that location.
Hiring Ex-Felons or Not
You might be assuming that construction jobs are not open to ex-felons, but that is not true. It depends on the company that is doing the hiring. That is why you need to apply with and read the job ads of multiple construction jobs. While one construction company may not be open to hiring ex-felons, another may have no issues with it. Hiring someone who is an ex-felon is something that is a company decision. There is no standard policy for or against it cross the board in the construction field.
Assume that you will be able to get hired until and if something happens that creates a road block. If the job ad doesn’t mention anything about felonies then assume you can apply. If they ask if you have ever committed a crime or have been convicted of a felony, then be honest. Even if a company asks if you have it doesn’t mean they will not hire you. Provide them with honest information and let them decide, because there are some companies that will not have an issue with it.
There are construction jobs for ex-felons around the country, especially if you live in an area where there is a lot of building going on. Check with the companies hiring to see if they have positions you are qualified for or that they can train you for. You will probably be surprised to see that many do. This will help put you on the path to a good career.
