Chicago initiative offers ex-offenders job opportunities
The cell tower industry has become a place of second chances and renewed hope for gainful employment. Thanks to a collaboration between a Chicago-area tower contractor and the nonprofit Safer Foundation, ex-offenders can enter into the Wireless Field Engineer Training Program. While some may view it as noble, Duane Gilmore, COO at Tower-MTM, the employer partner in the program, says it’s “just a smart business move for me to find smart, good people and put them through their paces.” The company claims prior to this initiative, the demand for tower workers has been so fierce it had to fly in workers from South America just to get work done. This new opportunity for ex-offenders taps an underutilized population right in their backyard.
“People were telling me it doesn’t matter how many years ago (my crime) was; they couldn’t trust me,” said Antonio Crum, one of the men participating in the program. This meant finding work was incredibly difficult prior to becoming involved in the tower climbing program. After participants go through the training program, Safer Foundation aims to also offer graduates apprenticeships and intends to get more tower companies on board with the program.
“We need to find ways to not screen people out, but to include them,” Gilmore said. Those in the program are happy to be included, since apprenticeships start at $15 per hour and can grow to more than $70,000 per year if a person sticks with it for a few years.
The program also includes military veterans in its training. This isn’t the first time military veterans were given a chance at starting a new career after service to our country. Bluestream offers similar programs for veterans and Hazon Solutions is a company owned, operated and staffed by ex-military professionals providing drone services for the tower industry. One can only hope the wireless infrastructure industry continues giving ex-offenders, ex-military personnel and anyone else looking for a second chance the opportunity to prove themselves through hard work and dedication.
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