The Sheboygan Press from Sheboygan, Wisconsin • Page D1

STTE OPPORTUNITY of STTE OPPORTUNITY of STTE OPPORTUNITY of STTE of OPPORTUNITY STTE of OPPORTUNITY STTE of OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED BY SUNDAY JANUARY25 2015SHEBOYGANPRESS.COM PAGE 1D ne need only look at the recent city building inspection report to know construction business has enough to work with. While the number of city building permits dropped slightly to 3,238 in 2014, he cost of construction increased ten-fold to more than $273 million. With expansions to Acuity and PolyFab, emission-cutting alterations to Edgewater Power Plant and other work in the county, those in the construction business have a fair amount of available projects. Finding people to do that work? A bit harder to do. Matt Quasius, president of Quasius Construction, said that while construction suffer as much in Sheboygan during the recession due to some consistent business from key employers, that strength has led to expansions and new projects that quick- suck up much of the available labor force.

hat, combined with the onslaught of retiring baby boomers, makes options like apprenticeships all the more important. Qua- sius said his company has 10 people who are in various stages of apprenticeship. Brad TenPas, a project manager for A Chappa Construction, orks with Lakeshore Technical College to develop apprentices a nd appreciates what they can do for someone trying to gain some on-the-job skills. apprenticeship focuses on the carpentry trade and requires some in-class time in addition to on-the-job skills training. actually did that myself SHEBOYGAN PRESS MEDIA Construction in Sheboygan has stayed active even through the recent recession.

But finding reliable workers has been a challenge, ome hirers say. Construction trades offer opportunities or good people By Jason Smathers CONSTRUCTION Amy Myska, an employment and training counselor with the state of Wisconsin Job Service, is answering questions throughout the State of Opportunity series. How has technology changed the interview process for job seek- rs? A. Over the past few years, technology as changed he job search rocess significantly. Many jobs are only posted on- ine.

Due to his, we have a lso seen the interview process change with technology. There has been a shift with employ- rs to pre-screen candidates by con- ucting interviews through hone screenings. Employers are using technology such as Skype to replace the phone screening process as well. Some employers use software programs uch as InterviewStream to screen andidates. InterviewStream is an nline software program that allows employers to send candidates acustomized interview based on the position they are hiring for and a llows the candidate to respond to he questions.

This process has be- ome more prevalent with employers as it allows them to see the personality of the candidate and get a better understanding of how the andidate would fit in that particular work culture. It also significant- reduces the amount of time that employers spend on the screening process. For job seekers, while recording themselves via webcam can be initially intimidating, it really allows them to show employers how they would fit the position that they are a pplying for. They can go from being a faceless candidate to someone that shows that they would be a ualified candidate who would fit well in the work envi- onment. Many of the interviews also allow for one on each question, which something you ould get during a phone screen or in person interview.

INTERVIEWING How has technology changed the process? By Amy Myska For Gannett Wisconsin Media SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS Have questions for Amy yska or suggestions for upcoming stories or sources on the State of Opportu- ity coverage? Contact Coordinating Editor Amber Paluch at (920) 431-8361 gannett.com. been an in- ustry hit pretty hard in the Rec ession, but coming said Jeff Sachse, a labor market economist with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Dev elopment. Part of that comeback, he aid, is due to changes in the ending climate borrowers once again are able to obtain financing. achse cited large regional projects work at Lambeau ield, improvements along construction industry which had been struck hard by the housing crash and reat Recession appears to be rebounding with job growth rojected over the next 10 years. ighway 41, and reconstruction the I-94 corridor that have elped boost revenue for a number of state contractors.

The Fond du Lac area saw several major commercial pro- ects initiated in 2014: Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, arge clinic expansions by Agnes ian HealthCare and a new hospital in Ripon. Ground was broken for a new home office for rande Cheese off the Highway Careers building in construction trades Jobs expected due to retirement, attrition By Laurie Ritger Gannett Wisconsin Media DOUG WISCONSIN MEDIA Seth Kastein, pictured in the lift, and Bryan Freiberg, operating equipment, both employees of Pinno Construction..