The Construction Industry Council has been in existence since 2003 The Construction Industry Council has been in existence since 2003. They have conducted six Career Fairs before this one and also made many presentations to classes in elementary, middle, and high school. Their interest in our high school programs is to convey accurate information regarding the career choices available in the Construction Industry.

Our desire is to ignite some fires into the hearts of our rising “skilled trade” workforce, and if it is already burning, we want to fan the flames! Vision Many of the members of the Construction Industry Council have this feeling. You may have heard a similar sentiment in Mike Sears’ comments on the video. A message the Construction Industry wants students to hear is that it is OK to pursue what you are interested in, even if that means you do not attend college. College opportunities will always be there and many times a business will pick up the college costs for an employee who shows promise.

In 2003, professionals from construction industry and community met Determined need for collaborative partnership to address construction workforce needs and shortages Established Working Groups to address issues and challenges Overview This is a chronology of the Construction Industry Council. The needs are not necessarily for regular laborers. The largest need is in the higher paying positions of project managers, job foreman, estimators, and other management positions. Of course, you don’t start in one of these positions right out of high school (or college for that matter). Most of the time you have to work your way up through the business. Showing initiative and interest are ways to move up faster in most businesses.

Objectives Dispel myths or negative images associated with industry Encourage parents and teachers to persuade students with “hands on skills” to pursue their gifts Insure opportunities are available in schools for students to be exposed to careers in the trades Objectives These three objectives are the heart of the work the Construction Industry Council has been doing. The Construction Career Days event is intended to allow students to have access to individuals working in various trades, schools that have post-secondary programs that support the Construction Industry, and experiences with activities in the construction field to see if they like some of these trades.

Objectives Construction industry Promote the great opportunities in the Objectives Construction industry The message here is the Construction Industry has many opportunities to make a good living without a huge debt for post-secondary education. Education helps! Don’t underestimate the value of education. But, most skilled trades depend more on learning by doing rather than learning in the formal sense.

Key Needs Average Age of Construction Worker is 50 National projections show need of over 240,000 new workers every year Construction Employment will increase 13% through the year 2024 Skilled Trades show the most explosive growth Key Needs Average age of 50 means that many people in the business are approaching retirement. This is what is driving the need for people in the management areas of the business. There is ample opportunity with a need for more than 240,000 new workers each year. Another statistic that has been mentioned at Council meetings comes from an article in USA Today in 2005. In the next 25 years, more new construction will take place in the United States than the total of all construction since America became a country. To put it another way, look at all of the buildings in Winston-Salem right now. Some are 50, 60, 70 years old or older. Between now and 2030, more new buildings will be built than all of the buildings that exist today. That is a lot of construction!

“It is a sad thing to know that many are steered away from their true heart’s desire, resulting in many people with “jobs” instead of passionate careers!” Mike Sears, Windsor Commercial Passion This is reiterating a statement Mike made in the video. What kinds of jobs are your students interested in. Take a few moments to discuss this with them to get them thinking about what they may want to do.

Partnerships The main sponsors of the event are the Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the school system. The DOT is responsible for all of the heavy equipment and operators. The businesses inside represent a wide variety of the construction career possibilities. Be sure to spend time asking key questions for the business representatives can answer for you.

Funding Local Companies Provide significant funding support This is a partial list of the businesses who will be at this year’s fair. These people want you to know about their business! Ask questions!!

Career Days What kinds of careers are there in the construction field? Make a list…

Career Days There will be hands on activities as well as static displays on the inside. Try your hand at the activities and see what is involved. You may learn that you are good at some of these things.

Career Days Can you see yourself operating a piece of equipment like this? You will have that opportunity in the outside stations at the Career Fair.

Construction Career Days 2017 Inside Activities Hands-on activities College/University exhibits Many booths with various careers Outside Activities Operate equipment Many operators to ask about their career path Career Days In summary… The inside events are designed to engage the students in either hands-on activities or a conversation with the representatives who are there. The outside activities are to give students an opportunity to operate a piece of equipment. There is a 5 minute time limit on a piece and the teachers will have to help with keeping time and moving students. Students will have to decide what they really want to operate and then the teachers will have to help facilitate that.