Teach them how to build while they’re young.
It might be all it takes to help them decide to pursue a career in the construction industry.
That’s the philosophy behind a new youth program created by the Northern Regional Construction Association which will target students in Grades 9 and 10 (aged 14-16).
Program participants chosen for the BUILT (Building Up Inclusive Leaders) program will find out what it’s like to be a carpenter when they build a shed while learning tricks of the trade from seasoned professionals.
“Construction is a vital industry that offers a wide range of fulfilling career options,” said NRCA chief executive officer Nicole Bryant.
“By introducing young individuals to the various aspects of construction through hands-on experience, we aim to inspire and empower them to pursue careers in this field.”
The program will cover project planning, blueprint reading, foundation construction, framing techniques, roofing, and finishing work. The students will gain an understanding of what it takes to plan a project and see it through its completion.
Bryant said the experience of building the shed will give participants foundational construction skills and problem-solving abilities and they will learn the value of teamwork and work ethic.
Participants will develop job skills and also gain valuable networking connections with people in the industry and potential mentors who can steer students into more educational opportunities.
The two-week program runs from Aug. 14-25.
Students interesting in applying can do that now online through the NRCA website.
Priority will be given to equity-seeking groups and to individuals from under-represented communities, marginalized backgrounds and to those facing socio-economic barriers.
Bryant said information about the BUILT and how to apply has been sent to the schools and is also being shared with student aid workers and the with the Career Technical Centre (CTC) contacts at each School District 57 school.
“We’re hoping to get them before they have a choice to enter the CTC programs, so that those who want to shift into a career in the trades have an option to take that program,” said Bryant.
“The benefit to that is they get introduced to the trades early and they’re already starting to think about what a career in the trades looks like. We’re not focusing solely on the trades, we’re looking at all aspects of construction. There’s engineering, project management, materials procurement, there’s all kinds of areas we would want kids to think about.”
