Unemployment in the construction industry fell in June to the lowest level since 2001, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. That’s because contractors are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to meet growing demand, association officials said. “Expanding job opportunities throughout the economy make it increasingly difficult for […]

Turning Up The Heat On Wage Theft Alongside the U.S. Department of Labor, the Attorney General announced charges against Abdul Jamil Khokhar, the owner of nine Papa John’s Pizza franchises in the Bronx, and his company, BMY Foods, Inc. The defendants underpaid approximately 300 current and former employees by failing to pay minimum wage and […]

Tape Measure (25′ or 30′ only) Pencil Hammer Chisel Margin trowel Hawk Tuck-pointing tools(various  sizes) Brick trowel Wooden dowel Masonry brush a quality bucket

Sissy roofers are like the harpooners of Moby Dick,
Except they would never wish to harpoon a whale these days.
They would rather ride whales, in the sea and on the land.

ALACHUA, Fla. — NCCER and its Build Your Future (BYF) initiative have recently partnered with the Human Resources Construction Council (HRCC) to create a national BYF scholarship program for deserving individuals pursuing a career in construction through craft and technical programs. Scholarships are available to high school seniors, military service members, postsecondary students or anyone […]

Entry level electrician? Start with this list of tools. Tape Measure (25′ or 30′ only) Electrician’s tool pouch Klein 14 in 1 screwdriver/nut driver 9” Lineman’s side cutting pliers 8″ Long Nose Pliers 8” Diagonal cutting pliers Straight Claw hammer Battery screw gun with hammer drill feature Torpedo level Klein 6 ¼” wire strippers 16 gage […]

The first tools that every entry-level Carpenter should own Rig, tool belt, or Bags Hammer Tape Measure (25′ or 30′ only) Carpenter’s Pencil Retractable Utility knife Journal Tool Box (or in this case, a bucket) Stanley Flat Bar Speed Square Chalk line Yellow-handled Snips Cordless Drill or Driver Screwdriver The Journal of Light Construction Magazine

In Chapter 16 of 16 in his 2009 Capture Your Flag interview, “Start With Why” author Simon Sinek shares why passion is a result and not an action. He shares that finding one’s passion requires creating a process to make it actionable. Sinek shares why the first step is to identify what you love and […]

I’ve been doing this job since 1998 and have finally reached a point of frustration on a particular issue.  What’s the issue? Why does it appear that most of the skilled tradesmen in Western New York and Buffalo, are white? Of course I wouldn’t pose the question if I didn’t think that I already knew the […]

Fifty years after the repeal of Jim Crow, many African-Americans still live in segregated ghettos in the country’s metropolitan areas. Richard Rothstein, a research associate at the Economic Policy Institute, has spent years studying the history of residential segregation in America. “We have a myth today that the ghettos in metropolitan areas around the country […]

The best all purpose hammer will generally be at least 20 oz.  Lighter than that and you can’t drive a nail.  Heavier than that and you’ll be fighting off urges to frame houses. A smooth face is far more versatile.  A waffle face is only for framing. ALWAYS buy a straight claw.  The only thing […]

He would fire the shot to see where it landed. He would get feedback, adjust, and fire again. He would repeat this process each time getting better feedback until they nailed it.