Members of Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC)
Inland Pacific Chapter are preparing youth for careers in construction by taking part in several events throughout the year that spark children’s and teens’ interest in the industry.
Five members of the ABC Inland Pacific Chapter staff partnered with the National Association of Women in Construction (
NAWIC) for Block Kids, a construction competition for elementary school kids that had about 100 participants in 2010.
“It’s extremely gratifying to see the excitement on the kids’ faces and know this is the future of our industry. It means a lot to me and the other ABC members to be involved in these programs,” says Shelly Donovan, director of professional and business development for the ABC Inland Pacific Chapter.
Following a short presentation on the construction industry, each participant is given Legos, a small rock, string, foil and poster board to construct the most creative design using those materials. Judges spend about five minutes with each child, asking them about their project; what it would be used for; what they were thinking about when they built it; and why they wanted to participate in Block Kids. The kids are scored on originality, creativity, attention to detail, use of materials, oral presentation, enthusiasm and reason for participation.
Winners in each grade, as well as overall event winners, are awarded a measuring tape, gift cards to Toys “R” Us and a Lego camera. No one went home empty handed; every participant received a $5 to $10 gift card to Walmart, a t-shirt, mini footballs, pens, coloring books, pads of paper and chapstick.
Older students in the local area have the opportunity to participate in Hard Hats, Hammers and Hotdogs, an event to educate and excite middle and high school students about the construction industry. ABC has a display booth at this two-day event in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, that ABC members help sponsor. Contractors donate hard hats, safety glasses and heavy-duty equipment so students get a hands-on experience, see demonstrations explaining the construction trades and participate in various craft competitions.
The ABC Inland Pacific Chapter also is involved in Pizza, Pop and Power Tools, a construction career event for eighth-grade girls. The 100 young ladies who recently participated saw power tool and construction equipment demonstrations and even tried the tools out for themselves.