Manufacturing and Construction Projects are Now Open for Business in Massachusetts
Find out Who’s Going Back to Work and Who’s Hiring During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, essential construction and critical manufacturing companies such as those in the semiconductor industry, housing, and healthcare markets have remained operational in the United States. While non-essential construction and manufacturing projects were placed on hold in early March, this past week has seen phased reopenings, especially in Massachusetts. Here, we review what manufacturing and construction projects are open for business, what to expect, and who is hiring right now.
What manufacturing and construction projects are allowed to reopen?
In Massachusetts, where manufacturing is a top industry, especially when it comes to computers and electronic parts – critical manufacturers necessary to health, public safety, and infrastructure companies are continuing to hire. Our manufacturing clients north of Boston, for instance, have remained open and continue to have openings across the board.
Additional essential companies that remain operational include those that support:
- Medical products
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Transportation
- Energy
- Communications
- Food and agriculture
- Chemical manufacturing
- Nuclear facilities
- Operation of dams, water, and wastewater treatment
- Emergency services
- Defense industrial bases
What has changed this week for Massachusetts is that in a phase one reopening of the state, non-essential construction companies are allowed to open as long as they follow safety protocols set forward by the state and include those doing work for:
- Residential buildings up to three units
- Public schools
- Utilities
- Roads
- Roofing
- Steel erection
- Foundation construction
Beginning on May 26, additional construction and manufacturing projects such as textiles that may not be deemed essential can also reopen. For a complete overview of the phased reopenings, we recommend visiting the MASS HIRE Central Workforce Board.
While Massachusetts is busy getting back to business, the surrounding northeast region is also seeing phased reopenings with New Jersey, allowing low-risk manufacturing and construction projects to get underway. The same is happening in Vermont, where the manufacturing and construction job workforce stands between 50,000 to 60,000 employees. New York and Pennsylvania are also staging phased reopenings.
What will be different when workers return to manufacturing and construction jobs during the Phase I Coronavirus re-openings?
For employees, you will hear the term “clean room,” where plant floors meet COVID-19 social distancing and sanitation policies. Additionally, there may be fewer employees allowed within specific spaces, and, as mentioned in previous blog posts, workers should expect staggered shift schedules, temperature checks, and the need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). To learn more about employee rights during COVID-19, please visit our resource page.
What manufacturing and construction companies are hiring during COVID-19?
When it comes to energy and construction job openings, we have many project opportunities ranging from project and construction schedulers, drafters, designers, inspectors, coordinators, and estimators – many which became available just this month. Manufacturing jobs include assemblers, technicians, engineers, welders, and more.
Explore manufacturing and construction job opportunities today and be ready for tomorrow
Even if you have been furloughed or laid off, now is a great time for candidates to update their resumes and practice their skills. While job boards are a great place to start your search, did you know 85 percent of jobs are found through networking? Be sure to stay in touch with colleagues and attend virtual job events when possible.
As always, if you are a company looking to hire, top talent is essential to the success of your business, and our team is here to help you find the right people with unmatched expertise.
Let’s collaborate today to fill your open positions. We are ready to source your next top performer for continued business success. If you are a candidate looking for opportunities, check out our job search tool.
