TRADE SCHOOL
Homebuilders introduce students to construction trades
Oklahoma City homebuilders introduce students to construction trades
Homebuilders hope to get a leg up on the future workforce from the hands-on experiences they gave hundreds of students this week during Build My Future OKC, a career exploration day for the skilled trades.
The first-ever event for Oklahoma City introduced young people to carpentry, masonry, electrical work, heavy equipment operation and other construction trades — and a gingerbread house for fun — Wednesday at the OKC Fairgrounds.
It was organized by the Professional Women in Building Council of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association. Nearly 20 schools sent students learn from 30-plus exhibitors.
"The new home construction industry, among other construction-focused industries, have a very high demand for skilled laborers ," said Denise Patterson, president of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association. "With 53% of skilled trades workers over the age of 45, and more than 20% of those workers at retirement age, the existing skilled trades gap is about to get bigger.
"We need these students to consider entering our field as skilled tradesmen to help fill these positions. They are our future workforce."
Work in the skilled trades can provide a good life, said Marla Esser Cloos, Build My Future OKC planning committee chairwoman.
"Our goal with Build My Future OKC is to introduce high school students to skill-based trades," she said."We want to show these students various opportunities — that do not require a four-year college degree — where they can learn a skill that will provide them a stable and steady career."