Hispanics gaining more jobs By GREG REEVES, Kansas City Star
Hispanics — only 5 percent of the area's population — now make up 31 percent of roofers.
That is just part of the influx of Hispanic workers into the building and construction trades here and nationally, according to recently released census figures. To some extent, the growth reflects the growth in the Hispanic population.
In Kansas City, the share of Hispanic carpenters tripled from 2 percent in 1990 to 6 percent in 2000. Nationwide, 15 percent of carpenters are Hispanic.
The proportion of plumbers and pipefitters in the area who are Hispanic grew from 4 percent in 1990 to 5 percent in 2002, but up to 12 percent nationwide.