Taking a proactive approach to the continued skilled labor shortage, builders and manufacturers are sparking industry interest through student programs. From networking and learning alongside industry professionals to getting their hands in the sawdust, below are some of the many programs students can participate across the nation.
Back to Construction School
Cat Footwear, a division of Wolverine World Wide and official footwear licensee of Caterpillar, has announced the return of its Back to Construction School program for 2024. Marking the second year of their partnership with Caterpillar’s ThinkBIG program, together they celebrate and support students pursuing careers in the trades.
“With a shortage of students opting for careers in construction, our partnership with Caterpillar's ThinkBIG program is essential to our team’s mission of helping bridge this gap,” says Dit Vannouvong, senior director of marketing at Cat Footwear. “Through this program our teams are proud to uplift, inspire, and educate the next generation of students pursuing careers in skilled trades.”
Cat Footwear is expanding on last year’s Back to Construction School program by spotlighting five more exceptional students from the ThinkBIG program to inspire others to consider joining the trades. These students have demonstrated excellence in their field, and Cat Footwear is proud to amplify their stories on a national scale via its social channels with the goal of providing real-life stories and visuals to other students debating careers in a trade field.
They include: Aurelio Resa, who will be beginning ThinkBIG program this fall; Cale Mouser, SkillsUSA National Diesel Engine competition winner; Justan Beach, recent graduate from the ThinkBIG program in May with a 4.0 GPA; and Brianna Fizer and Noah Aweau, both second year students in the ThinkBIG program.
Construction Academy
Today’s high school students are faced with many choices, but also a lot of pressure from parents, peers, and educators to head straight to college. It’s no secret that this path isn’t the right one for everyone. For Julieanna Etter, a recent graduate of Riverview High School, there was never any doubt that she was going to take a different path.
Etter was part of Riverview’s Construction Academy, designed to prepare high school students for a career in the building industry. One of the primary funders of the academy, Neal Communities, has also given Etter her start in the industry during an internship she is currently serving, working in construction management and warranty.
“I have always loved construction and learning the different stages of construction and what goes into all of it,” Etter says. “The Construction Academy at Riverview High School piqued my interest because I love learning new things. I’d say certain aspects of the class were more helpful than others, but since I’ve started here at Neal, they’ve filled in all the gaps and broadened my knowledge of the subject. I’ve learned so much from the different people at Neal and everyone is just always trying to help me learn more every time they see me. I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity.”
Over the past two years, Neal has donated $50,000 to the Construction Academy, with the donation spearheaded by Charlene Neal, president of Charlene Neal PureStyle, a partner company of Neal Communities, and who is an alumnus of Riverview High School. In addition, Neal Communities is providing staff resources to assist with the program, from guest speakers and field trip opportunities to internships and apprenticeships.
The Construction Academy incorporates a curriculum from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), along with providing hands-on experience for students.
“I have chosen to go straight into the workforce instead of college or schooling,” says Etter. “I personally learn better with hands-on things so working in the field at Neal has helped tremendously."
Among Neal Communities’ other support for education endeavors, the home builder has donated more than $40,000 in scholarship and mentorship support for the Take Stock in Children of Manatee County and support for the Future Builders of America Leadership. Neal Communities has also committed $25,000 to fund a scholarship for the Florida Gulf Coast University Construction Management program. The donation is being made in increments of $5,000 for the next five years and it will endow a $1,000 per year scholarship in perpetuity.
Rising Stars Program
Tremco Construction Products Group (CPG) has launched the Rising Stars Program in Cleveland, Ohio. Established in collaboration with Cleveland Heights High School, this flagship program is set to kick off next month and is designed to empower the next generation of underrepresented youth aged 16 to 24 by providing opportunities for sustainable careers in construction.
Led by industry veterans, the curriculum includes seminars and hands-on training in carpentry, project management, solar panel installation, roofing, construction management, and architecture. “The Rising Stars Program allows us to reinvest in our community, both in developing a qualified workforce and in helping youth find opportunities that support the future of the construction industry,” says David Hutchinson, director of the Rising Stars Program for Tremco CPG.
As a national program, it is also offered in five cities across the country, including Brooklyn, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Boston, Massachusetts; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The addition of the Cleveland program is a significant step in expanding this important initiative nationwide, Tremco notes.
By cultivating a pipeline of skilled workers for in-demand trades, the Rising Stars Program hopes to address the construction labor shortage. This mutually beneficial arrangement helps to bridge the skills gap for underrepresented youth while providing employers with a qualified workforce.
Through the program, students have the unique opportunity to network with and learn from industry partners such as architects, contractors, building scientists, and manufacturers. These valuable connections can even lead to job opportunities for the students.
“One of the great things about the Rising Stars Program is that it gives our students a foot in the door,” says Brandon Towns, Ph.D., principal of Cleveland Heights High School. “Having early, hands-on exposure to different career opportunities breaks down barriers and builds confidence.”
Craft Apprenticeship Program
DPR Construction, one of the nation's leading technical builders, recently celebrated the first graduates of its Craft Apprenticeship Program. Of the 100 apprentices currently enrolled, 43 have successfully completed the rigorous drywall or concrete programs, which are certified by the NCCER and recognized in all 50 states and three U.S. territories.
DPR's Craft Apprenticeship Program offers a unique learning experience in both Spanish and English. Participants gain journey-level skills in construction essentials such as math, blueprint reading, and communication, preparing them for trade-specific learning paths in concrete, drywall, or electrical. The program is offered across the Southeast and Texas to help extend entry points into the trades.
"Finishing the program has allowed me to step into another role that I never thought would be possible for me," says Kelian Gonzalez Rivera, a DPR drywaller based in Orlando, who is also the first woman to graduate from the program. "Participating in the program has been one of the best things I have done for my career. I learned so much that I wouldn't have had an opportunity to dive into on the job and I am a better professional because of it."
The Craft Apprenticeship Program allows participants to learn journey-level skills through related technical instruction coupled with on-the-job training over the course of about two years. This approach was developed so that apprentices could digest information in a variety of settings, ensuring they'd be ready to tackle real-world construction challenges and be able to meet the high quality and safety standards needed to succeed in the industry.
"With labor shortages affecting the industry, we know it takes an all-in approach to bring more people into the trades," says Chris Bell, DPR's self-perform work leader in the Southeast, who has helped coordinate DPR's program. "We want to provide as many entry points to careers in the skilled trades as possible and this complements the excellent union-run programs throughout the country. We're committed to providing opportunities to learn essential skills that can fuel rewarding life-long careers."
