Two significant projects planned in Central New York — building the Micron semiconductor plant and remaking Interstate 81 — are expected to require a huge workforce, and the filling of many construction jobs over the next several years.

Greg Lancet, president of the Central and Northern New York Construction and Trades Council, said the announcement of the Micron plant, as well as other potential large scale jobs in the area, have created an increased need for workers in Central New York.

He recently gave a tour of the UA 81 Plumbers and Steamfitters Syracuse Training Center.

When classes are in session, the “cat box,” as it’s called, is one of many places where tradesman train to prepare to work on the Micron project.

“The apprentices actually come out here and it’s empty. It will have the gravel and it’ll have a set of blueprints and then they’ll start installing pipes," Lancet said. "Some of the newer, entry-level construction workers, regardless of what trade or craft, they’re going to be going to work at the Micron project or the replacement of Interstate 81.”

When it comes to the need for tradesman, he says the massive new chip fab plant — expected to take 20 years to construct — will require local union labor to build out their ranks.

He said that’s not a bad thing because it will create opportunity.

“We are actually in the building trades looking at the tremendous opportunity of having entry-level people joining the ranks of the construction industry,” he said.

Regardless of the trade workers choose, he encourages young people to get involved, stressing that there’s plenty of room for everyone.

“I look forward to the opportunity of the thousands of construction jobs that are right around the corner, that are going to supplement the thousands of construction jobs that we already have,” Lancet said.