The Hidden Lockout: Why Black Workers Are Being Left Behind
In our last blog, we talked about job opportunities for Black people in Atlanta — especially with all the construction tied to the upcoming World Cup. Many believed these projects would finally open doors to good-paying jobs for our communities. Instead, what many of us are seeing is something very different: a quiet but real lockout of Black workers.
This problem is not limited to Atlanta. It is happening in cities across the country wherever large construction projects, infrastructure spending, and major developments are taking place.
When we talk about a “lockout,” we are not saying there are no jobs. Jobs exist. What we are saying is that Black workers are too often not the ones being hired, trained, or promoted into stable, well-paying positions.
What the Numbers Say Nationally
Black Americans make up about 13 percent of the U.S. labor force, yet in many higher-paying industries that number drops sharply. In construction, Black workers represent roughly 6 to 7 percent of the workforce nationwide. In professional and technical fields, Black representation also falls well below our share of the population.
Instead, Black workers remain heavily concentrated in lower-paying sectors such as service work, retail, transportation, and security. These jobs are essential, but they often lack the wages, benefits, and long-term stability needed to build generational wealth.
Atlanta’s Construction Boom and the Reality for Black Workers
Atlanta is experiencing major development, driven in part by World Cup preparation and ongoing growth. However, Georgia’s construction industry employs only about 5.5 percent of the state’s workforce, which is lower than the national average.
In the Atlanta metro area, Black residents make up more than half of the population. Yet in construction, Black workers account for only about 14 percent of the workforce. This gap raises serious questions about hiring practices, outreach, and access to training.
At the same time, Black workers are well represented in other Atlanta industries such as transportation and warehousing, healthcare, retail, and public administration. This shows that our people are willing and able to work — but access to construction and skilled trades remains limited.
Industries Where Black Workers Are Most and Least Represented
Across Atlanta and many U.S. cities, Black workers are most represented in:
Transportation and warehousing Healthcare and social assistance Retail trade Public administration
Black workers are least represented in:
Construction trades Construction management and supervision Professional and technical services High-level positions in manufacturing
These gaps are not accidental. They are the result of limited training pipelines, hiring through closed networks, lack of accountability, and long-standing systemic barriers.
Why the Lockout Continues
One major issue is access to training. Many construction and skilled trade jobs require certifications or apprenticeships, yet these programs are often not promoted in Black neighborhoods or tied directly to hiring.
Another issue is how hiring happens. Many contractors rely on referrals and existing networks. If Black workers are not already inside those networks, they are excluded before the hiring process even begins.
There is also a lack of accountability. Diversity promises are often made, but without tracking, reporting, and enforcement, those promises rarely turn into real jobs for Black workers.
Where Black Workers in Atlanta Can Find Jobs, Training, and Apprenticeships
If opportunity is going to improve, our people need access to real resources. Below are key Atlanta and Georgia agencies that connect workers to jobs, training, and apprenticeships.
WorkSource Atlanta
WorkSource Atlanta is the city’s primary workforce development agency. It connects residents to job training, certifications, and employment opportunities. Services include job readiness programs, construction and trade training referrals, resume assistance, and placement support.
Georgia Department of Labor
The Georgia Department of Labor provides job search assistance, career counseling, training referrals, and labor market information through career centers across metro Atlanta.
Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta Technical College offers hands-on training and certifications in construction trades, electrical work, HVAC, carpentry, welding, commercial driving, and information technology. These programs provide practical skills that lead to higher-paying jobs.
Apprenticeship Georgia
Apprenticeship Georgia connects workers to paid, on-the-job training in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and mechanical trades. Apprentices earn while they learn, avoiding heavy student debt.
Construction Education Foundation of Georgia
The Construction Education Foundation of Georgia works with contractors and unions to prepare workers for construction careers. They focus on safety training, trade readiness, and connecting workers with employers.
Goodwill of North Georgia Career Centers
Goodwill Career Centers offer free job training, certifications, career coaching, and employer connections throughout metro Atlanta.
Why This Matters
When Black workers are locked out of good-paying jobs, families struggle, wealth gaps grow, and communities lose stability. Jobs are not just about income — they are about dignity, opportunity, and the ability to plan for the future.
What Must Change
Hiring goals for major projects must be clear and enforced. Training programs must be located in and promoted to Black communities. Contractors should be required to report who they hire and at what levels. And pathways must exist not just into labor roles, but into skilled trades, management, and ownership.
Closing – From vmgreview.com
The lockout of Black workers in Atlanta and across the country is not about a lack of skill or willingness to work. It is about access, opportunity, and accountability.
Major construction projects and global events should benefit the communities where they take place. Without intentional hiring and real enforcement, Black workers continue to be left behind.
At vmgreview.com, we believe information is power. By sharing the data, naming the industries, and pointing our people toward real resources, we can begin to push for change.
Jobs matter. Access matters. Accountability matters.
Marvin Dixon/Founder
vmgreview.com
VMG Review 