Boys & Girls Clubs hosts construction career day

Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County joined forces with more than a dozen leading construction companies to help about 300 high school students explore potential careers in construction at the "Generals Construction Career Day" held recently in Pompano Beach.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County's Generals Club, a year-round program that introduces students to a wide range of skilled construction trades, hosted the annual career day at the Thomas D. Stephanis Unit Boys & Girls Club in Pompano Beach. The program is for high school-age members of any Broward County Boys & Girls Clubs unit.

While the construction industry has been hit hard by the economic slowdown, the U. S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an increase of 19 percent in "wage and salary jobs in the construction industry" through 2018. In Florida, the Agency for Workforce Innovation projects construction payrolls in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties should grow by about 20 percent by 2018. For many area high school students, those predictions are good news.

Kersie Louima, left, and Jim Robertson (ROBERT STOLPE, Robert Stolpe / August 24, 2011)

"Not every child is wired to go to college," said Jeff Slade, project executive with Miller Construction Company and a co-chair for the "Generals Construction Career Day." "Many skilled construction trades offer a different path to well-paying career choices, through apprenticeships, vocational education or on-the-job training. With Boomers leaving the workforce in the coming years, it's crucial to identify and begin training construction's next generation."

Career day activities included hands-on sessions conducted by representatives from leading construction firms. Participants visited booths for hands-on experiences in different trades, including earthwork by Chuck's Backhoe, roofing by Advanced Roofing, electric and drywall by Lotspeich, welding and wrenching by Steel Fabricators, Masonry & Forming by Coastal Masonry & Commercial Forming, cabinetry by Premier and Cayman, plumbing by Right Way, Painting & Stucco by M&P Reynolds & Universal Drywall, air conditioning by AA Advance Air and Thermal Concepts, crane operation by Allegiance Crane, paving by Signature Design, renewable energy/solar power by Hypower and AGT, architecture by ANF Group and Acai Architects, and general contracting by Miller Construction Company and Stiles.

"It's wonderful to see even competitive trades working together for the benefit of the kids," said event co-chair Jim Robertson, president of Allegiance Crane & Equipment. "At the booths students tackled hands-on activities such as building a wall, welding and even running a crane," Robertson added. Also co-chairing the day was Bob Case of The Case Team.

Throughout the year, Generals Club activities include field trips to construction sites, mentoring by construction professionals and a woodworking shop program. Led by volunteers from local construction companies, students are able to gain both mentoring and hands-on experiences to help guide them toward career choices.

According to Brian Quail, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, more than 1,000 teens have participated in the Generals Club program since 2007. "At the Boys & Girls Clubs, we deliver on three core programs for our 12,000 kids: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles," he said. "Combining those basics with access to construction industry leaders helps students shape a more positive view of their own potential in whatever field they choose to pursue."

For more information, visit http://www.bgcbc.org or call 954-941-2697.