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The construction industry is facing a major labor shortage, but programs and people across the country are working locally to solve the problem. This series highlights efforts that help recruit the next generation of construction professionals. Read previous posts here.
Do you know of any groups that help attract workers to the construction industry? Let us know.
James Jackson, 18, wants to be a carpentry teacher.
Fresh out of high school, the San Diego-area native said he’s long had a passion for woodworking, even serving as president and treasurer of woodworking clubs in the his school at different times.
“I love that it’s so creative but also tangible,” Jackson told Construction Dive.
This summer, Jackson attended the inaugural Skate 4 Concrete summer camp, a program run by the nonprofit Project Cornerstone. Despite having experience in the trades, he said he did it for the extra experience and the chance to try new things.
From July 15-17, the Skate 4 Concrete Summer Camp in San Diego gave students ages 15-18 exposure to jobs in the trades, including equipment operation, concrete work and welding .
“Frankly, concrete is not my thing, I work more with wood,” Jackson said. “But I’m in favor of promoting trades among younger people, I firmly believe that the world revolves around trades.”
Start of the camp
Project Cornerstone, a nonprofit based in Carlsbad, Calif., was formed in 2014 as a means to promote the aggregates industry. Its name refers to the fact that cement and concrete are the cornerstones of construction and therefore of communities, said executive director Crystal Howard.
The Cornerstone Project aims to do something about the labor shortage in the trades.
“I am very passionate about helping the construction industry, specifically aggregates and building materials, solve this problem and bring more awareness to the amazing careers available in concrete, aggregate and asphalt construction as well,” said Howard .
When he talked to students about construction, Howard said he found it helped narrow the focus on how specific projects come to fruition. In particular, he said, students have been interested in using concrete in skateparks.
“That’s really where Skate 4 Concrete came from, how to really create a specific approach to talk about jobs in our industry,” Howard said.
The nonprofit took field trips to quarries or concrete plants for students to get a look at the industry, but ultimately, Howard saw that students needed a better understanding of the jobs themselves and how start in the trades. That started the camp.
First camp program
The inaugural three-day camp focused on familiarizing students with the industry and its opportunities. The first day took the students to the local Associated General Contractors apprenticeship program, where Howard said they learned what types of jobs they might find in construction and what training would be required.
On the second day, the Martin Marietta Mechanic Shop in Lakeside, California hosted campers as they learned about welding, mechanic and equipment operator careers.
The camp concluded on the last day with more mechanics meeting with local construction companies and conducting mock interviews.
“To apply for a job, you have to know it exists, but you have to have heard of the company before,” Howard said. “So if they’re getting familiar with the logos and the likes of, what is Flatiron? Who is Flatiron? Who is Granite Construction? How do they know to go get a job at that company if they don’t know who they are? So part of that’s educating about the companies available.”
Camp experiences
Caleb Proctor, 18, works to install phone and internet lines for businesses in the San Diego area. He’s had the job for a few weeks, but had previously attended the Skate 4 Concrete camp.
“I’ve wanted to get into construction for a long time,” he told Construction Dive, saying he had done temporary work for a family friend in construction, such as tearing down walls, installing drywall and building a fence. .
Proctor said he already knew what he wanted from the industry, but the camp still gave him insight and experience. And he had fun, he said.
On the other hand, Cole Proctor, 17, and Caleb’s brother, said he hadn’t considered construction as a career.
“It changed my views on it,” the younger Proctor told Construction Dive, saying he now considers the trades a career. “I love concrete. I found that really cool. I thought the math part was really good.”
