Page 31 - CMA PROfiles Spring 2019

BUILDING THE FUTURE:
HIRING TALENT

“I’ve had really good

luck hiring students who

came through these

shop programs. I have

one working for me full-

time and one working

for me part-time

because he also goes

to school at the local

community college.”

—Matt Wehner, Cabinet Concepts
+ Simply Organized by Design

program’s organizers describe it as “an their skills in the shop before hiring them.
annual interactive, hands-on showcase This can make for unpleasant surprises
for students in the Ozark Region to if candidates overestimate their skill
learn about the opportunities in the level or their skill level doesn’t meet the
construction industry.” company’s standards.

The HBA invites representatives of a How does Cabinet Concepts work around
variety of trades to set up booths – this challenge?
cabinetmakers, concrete workers, brick-
layers, electrical unions, college trades “There are very few original ideas any
training programs, etc. “The students more,” says Matt Wehner. “I ‘borrowed’
go through the hall and visit your booth Paul Downs’ test!”
to see if they’re interested in that career
path,” Matt Wehner says. “It’s been a Paul Downs, the keynote speaker at the
huge success.” CMA’s 20th Anniversary conference in
March 2018, has written extensively about
VETTING his experience as a small-business owner
There is a major challenge involved in and entrepreneur. As part of his keynote
making good hires in the trades: Due to presentation, Downs shared a detailed
safety and legal concerns, employers written test that he gives to candidates
cannot ask candidates to demonstrate applying for jobs at his shop.

CABINET MAKERS ASSOCIATION 29