Feature -- by Mark Sproxton

Construction jobs are readily available in Calgary with houses and commercial buildings going up everywhere. In fact, business is so strong at the moment, employers are looking for workers with skills or interests in most any of the approximately 30 different construction trades. But that doesn't mean rush through the interview and hiring process without asking a few questions of a prospective employer.

While the overwhelming majority of construction related businesses are honorable, some are not. Donna Moore, Executive Director of the Calgary Region Home Builders Association, said there are some definite tell-tale signs of non-reputable operators. ''You have to be concerned when someone's offering cash to do something,'' she explained. ''If they're strictly a cash company and buying their supplies at the box stores, there's a reason for that. When being offered cash, that should raise some reflexes.''

Pat Almond, Manager of Operations for the Professional Home Builders Institute of Alberta, agreed. ''Those people do exist,'' he said. ''We call them tail gaters, and Revenue Canada is trying to nail these guys. They tend to be more into the renovation side of the industry. They don't tend to be so obvious or prevalent in the new house building industry because most of the homes here are built by the bigger builders.''

Calgary's economic bounty lies behind the warning. ''When you have a booming economy, you're going to have those kinds of people,'' said Moore. ''There aren't as many as there once were because consumers have become more educated.''

A simple check on any business is as easy as looking in the phone book. If a potential employer has a listing with a permanent address and phone number, chances are that's a reputable operation. Another method, although a potentially uncomfortable one, is simply asking potential employers for their business licence, if they have third party insurance, and if they pay Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) deductions. Without affirmative answers to those questions, Moore suggests looking elsewhere, but to continue a similar line of questioning.

''If you're going to work for a framer, for instance, find out who that framer is working for and if that company is reputable,'' she said. ''Are they paying WCB? What are the on-the-job safety requirements? Is there safety training available?

''Everybody has a right to ask the company they're working for those kinds of questions. Also, ask how you're going to be paid, and if deductions are going to be subtracted. If they're a reputable company they would hire you just because you asked those questions.''

Again, Almond agreed. ''You shouldn't feel awkward at all. An honest guy doesn't mind answering those questions. If someone doesn't answer, those are the guys to avoid.''

If you work for someone not paying WCB deductions and are hurt while on the job, you are not entitled to any compensation benefits meaning you'll be off work and could have no source of income, depending on the severity of the injury. And if a company isn't licensed and decides to leave overnight without paying you, chances are you won't ever see your money. With no public record of an operating business, it makes tracking the owners, and holding them accountable, difficult.

Calling Moore's association to see if a specific company is one of its 440 members is an easy method to check on any potential employer. SAIT, for example, with its involvement in training for the industry will also have the names of reputable employers. Any business from out of province should be asked to produce a non-resident work permit from the City of Calgary. ''There's an easy network to tap into,'' Moore said.

Part of the problem with fly-by night operators being able to garner work in the city comes from the fact that homeowners often take out the required city permits to complete building or renovation projects, she explained. ''And they're responsible for the hiring from there. That's the loophole.'' If the homeowner does the hiring, it could mean WCB payments aren't being made, and safety practices will be less stringent than they perhaps should. And opportunities for apprenticeships are also decreased.

Moore had a piece of good advice for those seeking work in any industry: always ask questions, don't just answer a job ad in the paper without doing a bit of research into that company first.