Detroit's Construction Outreach Team connects residents with construction careers and training, managing hiring pipelines, overseeing training databases, and facilitating connections between developers and the local workforce. They aim to expand the Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) to increase union and non-union construction workforce participation among Detroiters.

The construction industry is a vital employer in the nation's economy and embraces hundreds of different types of activities, from the construction of hydroelectric dams and interstate highways to multi-story office buildings and large residential projects as well as major maintenance and alterations. 

Construction offers many different types of career paths, from semi-skilled and skilled craft careers covering over 20 different trades, to jobs in management covering a wide scope of activities. The opportunities for advancement are virtually unlimited, regardless of where you choose to start. The industry also offers national and international job markets, giving you the opportunity to select an employer in any city or town. Basically, anywhere in the world. Few other careers offer this type of opportunity. Who hires employees trained in the building trades or with degrees in construction science? Obviously, one answer would be general contractors and sub-contractors. These are the companies that do the greatest amount of new construction, rehabilitation, remodeling, and maintenance. Many people with construction backgrounds are hired by other companies and agencies to evaluate, plan, and oversee construction performed for them. Prospective employers in this group include local, state, and federal governments, hospitals, schools, and corporations that build and maintain warehouses, factories, and offices.

1. Contractors normally specialize in one or more of the following types of construction: 
   General Building Construction: Erecting office buildings, houses, apartments, plants, schools, hospitals, churches, government buildings…virtually every type of shelter needed by man. 
   Highway Construction: Highways and the related facilities such as bridges, grade separations, culverts, paving, earthmoving, traffic controls and landscaping. 
   Heavy Construction: Tunnels, airports, dams, military bases, railroads, and flood control projects. 
   Utilities Construction: Power plants, pipeline installations, sanitation projects, waterworks, and transmission stations.
2. Skilled trade unions