Submitted by Beth Hoy, University Transportation Center
When was the first time you remember learning about the opportunities in your current career field? After this week, for approximately 2000 Michigan 8th-11th graders it might be an event called Construction Career Days. The University Transportation Center at Michigan Tech was on hand to help these students imagine their future in construction. Construction Career Days (CCD) is a national program aimed at addressing the need for an educated and skilled workforce in the construction and transportation industries. CCD debuted in Michigan on April 15th and 16th at the Ingham County Fairgrounds with more than 40 companies and organizations hosting informational exhibits and hands-on activities. Exhibitors included Michigan CAT, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Michigan Concrete Paving Association and the Michigan Concrete Association. Participants watched concrete placement demonstrations, tested their skills in a crane simulator and at operating a variety of on-site heavy equipment used in civil and transportation construction. Students also had an opportunity to talk with industry professionals and educational institution representatives to learn more about career paths and opportunities.
David McCreight, a teacher at Eastern High School in Lansing, brought 29 students involved in the school’s Physics and Engineering Club to the event. “Construction Career Days offered our students the opportunity to explore many career options including those outside 2 and 4 year programs. The highlight for the students is definitely being able to get on equipment and experience construction first hand.”
Devon Buskin, from the Michigan Department of Transportation talked with high school educators and students about the opportunities for careers with MDOT and additional MDOT sponsored youth programs that promote education and workforce development. “Programs like the Metro Region Summer Youth Mentoring Program and TRAC are helping to bridge a road to future success for Michigan youth.”
For the University Transportation Center for Materials in Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure at Michigan Tech (UTC-MiSTI), this event was an opportunity to help the transportation industry address the current and growing workforce crisis in transportation. Dr. Larry Sutter, Director of UTC-MiSTI explained the driving force behind the Center’s major sponsorship of this year’s event, “Working with Federal, State, and transportation industry partners to address state and national transportation needs is at the heart of the UTC program. Events like Construction Career Days help the industry address the workforce crisis in transportation and construction by attracting the next generation of workers through hand-on experiences. Here at Michigan Tech, we’re preparing students to embrace sustainable solutions to help the industry within Michigan and across the nation design, construct, maintain and repair transportation infrastructure. ”
The Michigan Tech team was lead by UTC-MiSTI and Michigan Tech Admissions Office. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Technology, Michigan Tech Transportation Institute, Rail Transportation Program, College of Engineering, and University Marketing and Communication partnered with UTC-MiSTI to coordinate the Michigan Tech exhibit which included hands-on-activities and information about the educational programs at the university. Michigan’s Local Technical Assistance Program, located on the Michigan Tech campus, was instrumental in coordinating the event along with industry partners and the Capital Area Construction Council. Photos of the two day event (click on April 15th and 16th to see both days) can be viewed on the UTC-MiSTI Web site www.misti.mtu.edu
Large Gallery of Photos can be viewed on the UTC-MiSTI website www.misti.mtu.edu
Photos and Video by Emil Groth, College of Engineering |
