Rural company creates website to help skilled laborers find work nationally

A website created by rural residents to help skilled laborers find work in their region will be featured on a Discovery Channel show called "Innovations," Christy Hoots reports for The Ledger Independent in Maysville, Ky. The show, hosted by actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr., "is dedicated to bringing viewers the most up-to-date, cutting edge information across a vast array of industries. From health and wellness to global business, renewable energy and more," according to the show's website. The episode is expected to air in October. (A screen shot of a search on the website)

While the website, Craftforce, was created locally in Northern Kentucky, it can be used nationally to find jobs, said president and CEO Dustin Grutza, Hoots writes. Grutza said "employers pay a monthly fee and post as many jobs as they want. Those who are looking for a job can search through the ones posted and apply for the position." He told Hoots, "The site is always free for the talent. There is also a map interface, kind of like Google maps, where you can search for a job and see all available postings on the map. It really helps that people can go to one place and see all the available jobs."

Grutza told Hoots, "We're working with schools and companies to bring jobs to everyone in the country. We have about 25 to 30 companies online right now. There are a lot more jobs coming back into the U.S. right now, and there is a big push for live, eat and buy locally. That means there are more skilled trades jobs becoming available, and we want to help people find those jobs."