Meeting summary:

  • The Brent Spence Companion Bridge project will start this spring. The company behind the project, Walsh Kokosing, hosted informational meetings to engage potential candidates.
  • Candidates are offered free schooling and paid apprenticeships to learn new trades. New hires will make at least $30 an hour.

Documenter’s follow-up question:

  • How many total jobs will the Brent Spence Bridge project create?

Notes

Notes

An informational meeting for Brent Spence Companion Project jobs opened at Longworth Hall opened at 2 p.m. It was hosted by the Walsh Kokosing team, a joint venture between Chicago-based Walsh and Ohio-based Kokosing, which is overseeing the first phase of the Brent Spence Bridge Companion project.

About 12 people were in attendance to learn about the program. It was organized by Iris Roley. More meetings are open to the public on Feb. 25 and March 11. Attendees can visit 9 to 11 a.m. or 2 to 4 p.m. on both of those dates.

Marvin Jackson, business and workforce engagement program manager for Walsh Kokosing, led the presentation. The project is expected to begin in March, and more positions will be open by then.

What the project entails:

  • Construction of a companion bridge over the Ohio River parallel to the Brent Spence. 
  • Reconstruction of approximately five miles of Interstate 71/75 in Kentucky, and one mile of Interstate 75 in Ohio.

Available positions include:

  • Engineers
  • Machine operators
  • Construction 
  • Welders and other ironworkers
  • Other clerical workers

Other things to know, according to Jackson:

  • The project is aiming to hire new workers for construction, and they don’t need experience. Paid apprenticeship programs are being offered to train prospective workers. In other words, they are encouraging folks to consider a career change to work on the project.
  • The company has worked with the Urban League, Easterseals, Elite Welding, the Hamilton County Office of Reentry, and other organizations to gather prospective candidates.
  • Jackson’s team is also collaborating with local labor unions, including those representing carpenters, engineers, welders and ironworkers, to encourage candidates to apply with a track to join a union.
  • In workforce outreach, they have been reviewing candidates’ soft skills (like communication and emotional intelligence) and hard skills (prerequisite certifications that are a plus, language skills, and factors that determine one’s ability to perform the job.)
  • Candidates with previous felony convictions outside of five years are eligible for the program. Anything within five years is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Candidates must also pass an initial drug test and are subject to random screenings.

After paid apprenticeship programs, wages start at $30 an hour. That’s on the low end, according to Jackson.

Those interested in applying for apprenticeship programs and positions can fill out this form.  More information on jobs for contractors and subcontractors can be found on the project website.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcincinnati.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Find more Documenters’ notes here.