Teens Get Something to Think About at Construction Career Days
Nearly 1000 high school students operated heavy equipment explored construction technology learned about training programs and otherwise pondered a future in construction during King County Construction Career Day
s held Oct. 4 and 5.
AGC and the AGC Education Foundation spearhead the annual event with the active involvement of a host of government industry and education groups (see complete list of participating entities below).
Among those promoting skilled trades to the students was Roy Dunn a 15-year veteran as an electrician with the Port of Seattle. “A lot of kids don’t know about the trades; I didn’t” Dunn said. “I went to college first with the idea of starting my own business but I joined an apprenticeship program and it was so rewarding I stayed. Some kids are interested
some not but I tell them what I know and give them something to think about. These are good jobs.”
Jean Johnson is a career specialist and Wendy Gildersleeve a parent volunteer with Juanita High School. Both appreciated how well organized the event was even though it involved hundreds of students with dozens of things to see and do. “Where else can you get on and operate heavy equipment like cranes and backhoes?” asked Johnson. “I’ve tried it myself and it’s harder than it looks. The kids love it.”
Gildersleeve agreed that the hands-on aspect of the event is a big attraction for the students. “Plus construction is so big and it gives kids of different skill levels a variety opportunities” she said. “I like that this event covers so many diverse aspects of the industry.”
AGC and the AGC Education Foundation thank the following organizations for their support and participation:
- ANEW
- Carpenter Training Trust
- Cement Masons and Plasterers of Washington
- CITC
- City of Seattle Parks Department
- Coast Crane
- Construction Center of Excellence
- IEC of Washington
- King County Carpenters
- LADS Apprenticeship
- Lakeside Industries
- Meko Construction
- Ness & Campbell Crane
- NW Laborers
- NW Laborers Employers Training Trust
- Northwest Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Team (NW LECET)
- Operating Engineers Apprenticeship
- Papé Material Handling
- Port of Seattle
- Puget Sound Electrical JATC
- Seattle Area Roofers
- Seattle City Light
- Seattle Parks Department
- Seattle Vocational Institute
- Skanska USA Civil NW
- Snohomish County PUD
- Sound Transit
- Star Rentals
- Teamsters/ AGC Training Center
- United Rentals
- US Dept of Labor – OSHA
- University of Washington College of Built Environments
- WA State Dept. of Labor & Industries
- Washington State Carpenters Apprenticeship
- Washington State Department of Transportation
- Western Washington Masonry Trades
- Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC