SPOKANE, Wash. — High school students from around Spokane are getting a chance to try out construction work and learn more about skilled trades.
It’s all part of Construction Career Days, which offers students hands-on activities they can’t get anywhere else.
On October 30 and 31, students have the opportunity to drive bulldozers, work jackhammers and operate plows.
“We have students that walk in and they have never lifted a hammer,” said Chelsea Barton, the Director of Workforce Development for Associated General Contractors. “To let them have this experience is tremendously empowering to a lot of students. To know ‘I can do that,’ even if it’s not the career path they want to go in.”
One of the organizations at the event is Trade Up 2 Construction, which helps connect people with training and careers in the construction industry. It often helps recent high school graduates get their first full-time job in the industry.
“There is such a huge need in construction moving now and moving forward. The construction field is never going away. If anything, it’s growing more and more and we need our high school kids to get in the field,” said Josh Monroe, Construction and Skilled Trades Coordinator.
Organizers said they expect around 1,200 students over the course of the two-day event.
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