While the Mahoning Valley may have lost some important businesses over the years, like General Motors for instance, we've been able to welcome many new ones recently.

The new Ultium cells battery plant is massive and we are seeing huge investments from big companies like Amazon and Kimberly Clark.

As a result, there is a continued need for a new workforce able to keep up with the new construction demand.

Work has begun on an $800 million advanced manufacturing facility built on the former RG Steel property in Warren. When it's done, Kimberly Clark will employ 500 full-time workers.

And construction is coming right along on a massive Amazon distribution center in Bazetta Township. There is a lot of development and new projects coming to the Mahoning and Shenango valleys.

Local union leaders say they are getting ready for the construction demand.

"Right now, we have 10 years on the books, right now!" said the business manager from Ironworkers Local 207.
They have about 350 union members and all of them are working on job sites with as they say, steel flying.

"You'll see industrial parks popping up all over the place getting the infrastructure ready. We're in North Jackson industrial park we've put in first building. One of 6-7 that they want to bring in businesses. So I don't see that stopping," said Tony Deley with Local 207.

The business manager for IBEW Local 64 electrical workers says their 450 members are also busy.

We have a lot of organizations and entities in the area that have done well with economic development. So we have a lot of these mega-projects going on but we have projects going on in that medium-tier size that are going on as well to help drive this market," said Cody Hilliard with Local 64.

At IBEW training starts at the work site with a Journeyman and then you study at night.

"With our residential program they'll be going to school 2-3 nights a week for 3 years before they become a residential wireman. If they are on the commercial industrial side that's a 5 year program," added Hilliard.

The local electrical union already accepted their classes for year but you can fill out an application for next year with testing starting in January of 26.
At the ironworkers local 207, they are always looking for more people to come on board for apprenticeships, which usually start at $25 an hour.

Probationary members are brought on who generally have some type of construction experience. You can fill out an application over at www.iw207.com

"We got to market ourselves. let the schools know there are other options than college. We've been doing that for the past few years to get the word out a bit better," added Deley.

Other trades are needed for these large construction projects as well. Plumbers/pipefitters, carpenters you name it. Hard work but good pay and benefits.
And it looks like good job security for years to come.