February 2026

From Training to Trades

Stories From the Building Value Construction Training Program

Our "From Training to Trades" video series takes you behind the scenes of the Building Value Construction Training Program, where determination meets opportunity.

Ja'Juan Horton graduated our program in 2024 and now works for Messer Construction.

Darryl Allen is a program graduate and leads a successful career at Jostin Construction.

Through candid interviews with graduates like De'Aujha Long, Darryl Allen, and Ja'Juan Horton, these videos showcase the real journeys of people transforming their lives through paid, hands-on construction training.

The program offers 12 weeks of training across two phases, equipping participants with NCCER certifications, essential work habits, and the skills needed to launch lasting careers in the trades.

What makes our training program truly powerful is how it addresses both individual and community needs—creating pathways to stable employment while building the skilled workforce our region desperately needs.

Just for Salvage Scoop subscribers:

Watch the full episode of From Training to Trades: Daniel Bronson here—

an exclusive sneak peek before we share it to the public!

An interview with Daniel Bronson, a graduate of the Building Value Construction Training Program

We're Hiring: Lead the Work that Builds Value

Building Value, powered by Easterseals Redwood, is looking for a hands-on Crew Supervisor to help guide our deconstruction and demolition crews while expanding our impact in sustainability, workforce development, and the community.

In this role, you’ll mentor crew members in deconstruction and salvage best practices, lead safe and efficient job sites, and help divert reusable building materials from the landfill. Along the way, you’ll play a key role in building real leadership and construction skills for people preparing for long-term careers in the trades.

We also believe in taking care of our team. Benefits include competitive health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement, and more. Easterseals Redwood is proud to be ranked in the Top 10% of employers for benefits.

If this sounds like a great fit—or if you know someone who would thrive in this role—we’d love your help spreading the word.

Apply on Our Website!

Join us Saturday, February 28th

For an Interactive Bench Building Workshop

Join Civic Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati Urbanism Club, Building Value, and Scrap2Home at our very first bench building session!

Shop

Looking for materials or inspiration? Browse Building Value’s retail store for reclaimed wood, hardware, and unique salvaged finds that can be used to build benches or spark your next project. Shopping our store supports job training, keeps quality materials out of the landfill, and helps make community-built projects like possible.

Workshop

During this interactive workshop, participants will work alongside experienced instructors to transform salvaged materials into sturdy, functional benches. No prior building experience is required — just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn. Tools will be provided, but people are encouraged to bring their own supplies.

Sign up as a team or as an individual. Space is limited, but register for the waitlist to get a spot for the next bench building event.

This event is part of the Better Bench Initiative, a bus rider movement to win benches at all bus stops in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

More Information/Registration

From Progress to Preservation

How Deconstruction Helped Save Mecklenburg Gardens

When work began at the historic Mecklenburg Gardens, the goal wasn’t just to salvage building materials—it was to help preserve this unique Cincinnati landmark. Building Value was proud to support this project by providing a full suite of services on one site, including deconstruction, demolition, and cleanout, helping prepare the building for its next chapter while honoring its past.

In partnership with Kaiker Development + Construction, our crews carefully deconstructed interior elements, completed targeted demolition where needed, and handled cleanout services to safely and efficiently ready the space for stabilization. It’s rare to bring all of our core services together on a single project, and Mecklenburg provided the perfect environment for our team to build skills while putting sustainability into practice.

By prioritizing deconstruction over wholesale demolition, reusable materials were diverted from the landfill and preserved for future use—proving that historic structures can be adapted without erasing what makes them special.

If you’re planning a redevelopment, demolition, or cleanout project and want to prioritize reuse, sustainability, and workforce development, Building Value is here to help.