Construction firm in hiring groove

2013 is shaping up to be a great year West Michigan-based construction firm Owens-Ames-Kimball.

"It's different this year. There has been more action after several years of businesses holding back from construction projects," says Frank Stanek, president. He says there are many positive indicators that bode well for the construction industry, most notably a healthy increase in request-for-proposals.

Also benefiting from the renewed activity are recent graduates from construction management programs. "We ran lean for a long time, but now we have a nice backlog for summer and early fall," Stanek says. "We feel it is time to replenish our work force and office personnel, and develop new, young talent."

Most recently, the firm recently added a carpenter and two project superintendents.

Stanek credits the local colleges with developing talent for the construction management industry. "They do a nice job at Ferris State. The students are work-ready."

Stanek also sees a return of talent to the area as another source of employees for the industry. "There was a mass exodus in 2008. Now, a lot of those students are coming back with their resumes."

To learn more about Owen Ames Kimball, you can visit their site here. However, if you are interested in applying for a job, Stanek suggests you do it the old-fashioned way: stop by in person and pick up an application.

"Show us some initiative," he says.

Source: Frank Stanek, Owen-Ames-Kimball
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor