CARBONDALE - About 150 people crammed into the Eurma C. Hayes Center Thursday to attend a workshop on construction apprenticeship programs. For many of them it could be a first step toward an apprenticeship that could lead them to a job in the trades.

Representatives from a half dozen trade unions were on hand to present the opportunities that await those who choose to pursue a job in the trades.

Organizers said they were pleased and surprised by the turnout.

"We were expecting about 100 people," said Marilyn James, community relations officer for the city. "We got more than 150 peo-ple, and they want us to do it again."

Along with the city, the workshop was organized by SIUC Construction Management Services, E.T. Simonds Construction and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

James said the aim of the workshop is to help steer more minorities toward careers in the trades. Employers would like to hire more minorities and women but that there are too few to choose from, James said.

"There's just not enough in the pool," she said. "So by hooking them up with the trade unions here, they can see what's required, see what it's about and see if it's something they'd like to do."

After the presentations, representatives from the various trade unions sat at tables rimming the room.

Cathy Cook and Kenny Roche of the Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program in Belleville said they were pleased by the turnout. With an aging workforce of carpenters, the pair said minorities represent an untapped pool of workers.

"The average age of a construction worker in our area is 53 (years old)," Roche said. "We need more young people."

At the Laborer's Apprenticeship table, John Schrum echoed that sentiment and said he hopes more minorities will begin to look at careers in the trades.

"All of the crafts are getting a lot of old guys, guys getting ready to retire," he said. "We just want to let people know what's out there for them. There are good paying jobs."

Sidney Logwood, who is chair of the NAACP Carbondale branch, said he was pleased by the turnout but not necessarily surprised.

"I did expect it," he said. "We've got a lot of interested people, a lot of people who want to work."

Logwood said he expects another workshop to be held in about six months.

For more information, call the NAACP Office at 618-457-7722.

blackwell.thomas@thesouthern.com

618-351-5823