The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Schools showcase students’ skills to construction pros
High school initiative also reaches into elementary school.
Teaching high schoolers the skills they need to enter the construction workforce is the focus of Zach Fields’ job at Roswell High. But he’s equally keen on connecting his students to potential employees.
Those two elements came together recently when Fields hosted 40 building contractors for a three-hour, often eye-opening look into the education end of the industry.
“We wanted contractors to see the journey students take that can lead, in some cases, into the workforce,” Fields said. “They were blown away by what they saw. They did not know these programs still exist. I think they have a nostalgic view of shop class or industrial arts, and they weren’t aware how strong the pipeline is for these types of programs.”
That pipeline reaches from Roswell High down into its feeder school, Mountain Park Elementary, which has about 550 youngsters in grades second through fifth taking a construction class once a week. The visitors checked out the building skills that fourth-graders were learning as the students worked with saws to make pencil holders.
Teacher David Kramer took over the Mountain Park program in August, and even he’s constantly amazed at what young students can do.
“I had to see it to believe it,” he said. “They’re using tools they’re usually not allowed to touch, and they love it. It empow- ers them. Kids without confidence are confident quickly when they run a drill press or jigsaw. To see a 7-year-old work a power tool is pretty incredible; it’s still a bit overwhelming even for me.”
While Kramer’s kids are working with their hands, they’re not necessarily thinking about careers in construction, he said. “But we do discuss that.”
Employment was on the minds of the high schoolers who met with the visiting contractors. Fields said a highlight for the builders was hearing from top students about what they’re doing now and their plans and thoughts about the industry.
“One student talked about wanting to improve her community that has a lot of home-repair needs, and it was good for the contractors to hear how students connect with a deeper meaning,” Fields said. “Others talked about how to be more successful bringing high schoolers on board and some of the barriers, like transportation, that can make it difficult. It was a great learning experience for them.”
Fields said he hopes to have similar events to create more school-industry partnerships by reminding the professionals that programs like these exist in the public schools.
“The construction industry is really busy, but it’s also battling a labor shortage,” he said. “This is a way to show the industry this feeder system is here and needs their support.”
Today’s story comes from our partner Rough Draft Atlanta. Rough Draft publishes Reporter Newspapers, community newspapers in Brookhaven, Buckhead, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. Visit them online at RoughDraftAtlanta. com or on Instagram @RoughDraftATL.
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