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In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini explore workforce development through a very literal lens: the construction site. Their guest is Aaron Frumin, founder and CEO of Uncommon Construction, a nonprofit that has spent more than a decade transforming how young people enter the workforce.
Uncommon Construction brings high school students from across New Orleans together as paid construction apprentices, turning the process of building a house into a real-world classroom. Over the course of a semester, students earn wages, academic credit, and hands-on experience while developing the technical, leadership, and soft skills needed to succeed on job sites and beyond. The homes they help build enter the housing market, allowing buyers to invest not only in a property, but in the future of local youth.
Aaron shares the origin of the program, why economic participation is central to youth empowerment, and how paying students for their labor creates confidence, accountability, and long-term opportunity. The conversation also dives into the role of industry partnerships, the realities of workforce shortages in the construction sector, and Uncommon’s expansion beyond Louisiana into Minneapolis — offering a glimpse into how this model can scale nationally.
This episode is a thoughtful look at how education, housing, and workforce development intersect — and how reimagining the classroom can help build stronger communities, stronger industries, and a more prepared next generation.
To learn more or to support this organization visit www.uncommonconstruction.com
