Resource fair for Foxconn construction jobs held in Racine

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) – Thousands of construction workers are needed to build the Foxconn Plant coming to Mount Pleasant.

On Thursday, there was a resource fair for anyone interested in those jobs.

Festival Hall was packed with eager, aspiring workers and vendors.

Herman Hampton is a third-year carpentry apprentice. Like many, he’s hoping a job with one of the vendors will provide stable work.

“I’m union so I am laid off right now. This is our slow season,” said Hampton.

It’s estimated there will be a need for 4,000-5,000 construction workers to build the infrastructure for the new campus in Mount Pleasant. Foxconn is expected to break ground this spring.

“What we have here is a gap between skills our residents currently have and the jobs coming here. This is the first step of many to try to fill the space so our residents are skilled up and ready for jobs,” said Cory Mason, Mayor of Racine.

Vendors set up booths for bricklaying, carpentry, and even resources for things like mental health. The booth with the longest line was Foxconn.

Officials are hoping the resource fair will help chip away at Wisconsin’s historically low 2.9 unemployment rate.

“There are those individuals who we also want to support efforts to bring them into the workforce so we will look at issues to help them get skilled, help them get trained, and also issues with transportation,” said Secretary Ray Allen with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

For Hampton, Wisconn Valley is hope for a brighter future.

“It means I can put food on the bale, I can put food on the table. It means prosperity,” said Hampton.

Officials say there will be more resource fairs throughout the state.

People can also apply online to see what construction jobs are available.  

 For more information, about the project, please visit wisconnvalley.wi.gov