Re-Entering the Workforce: What Construction Can Do

Josh Strickler, the COO of Diplomat Demolition, has been employing workers through worker re-entry programs for almost 20 years.Diplomat Demolition employs workers who have gone through re-entry programs, with 70 out of 70 workers having some form of re-entry background. Approximately 20-30 workers have come directly from re-entry programs, while another 20 have criminal backgrounds.Diplomat Demolition has incorporated worker re-entry programs into its growth strategy. This initiative started when they had a large project and hired a project manager who was a veteran. This led them to explore worker re-entry in work release programs, and they began hiring individuals from such programs after evaluating their performance.Diplomat Demolition shared they find real value in work release because of the availability of a reliable labor force, especially for seasonal work. The company aims to focus on hiring individuals when they are released from these programs. They have obtained OSHA 10 certification and are working on the logistics, including hiring a driver.Hiring workers from re-entry programs involves dealing with more red tape, especially post-COVID. There are differences in the hiring process compared to hiring from prisons. Diplomat Demolition is currently working on refining its process by partnering with organizations like IMPACT. They have also faced challenges related to transportation and tools reaching job sites, especially when most of their employees are in Philadelphia and Delaware.Diplomat Demolition has successfully integrated worker re-entry programs into its operations, capitalizing on the available labor force and contributing to the reintegration of individuals into society. They have faced challenges in logistics, transportation, and bureaucracy but continue to expand and grow while maintaining a positive reputation in the industry.