This summer we welcomed high school and middle school teachers to participate in a training program for CorePlus Construction. Teachers joined this weeklong externship for an inside look into future construction careers for students and how they can apply CorePlus Construction in their classrooms.
Honored guests Representative Sharon Tamiko Santos, 37th legislative district and Chair of the House K-12 Education Committee, and Representative April Berg, 44th legislative district opened the program with remarks about the importance of introducing students to a wide variety of career options and opportunities after graduation, the progress of CorePlus Construction, and its impact on high school students.
After an energizing start, the week was filled with exclusive tours of downtown Seattle construction projects including: Firestone Building – 400 Westlake Avenue curtesy of Lease Crutcher Lewis, “Region of Boom” tour of South Lake Union conducted by GLY and Sellen executives, Seattle Children’s Hospital by ABSHER Construction, Lakeside Industries Fremont Facility, Sound Transit Lynnwood Link Extension, Residential house with KLP Homes, Inc. The program’s final tour was private boat cruise on Lake Washington with Manson Construction and Kiewit Co. to discuss construction of new SR 520 floating bridge.
During the classroom portion of the week, teachers were joined by experts for an industry overview, a talk about sustainability in construction and cutting-edge technology, and received an introduction to LEAN Construction. Teachers also had the opportunity to review and discuss CorePlus lesson content for their students. A special highlight of the week was hearing from a panel of young industry professionals and current college students who benefited from direct construction education like Core Plus. Panelists discussed their own pathways to a Construction Management degree and roles in the industry.
We look to offer a similar program this summer focusing on regional engagement to help build relationships between educators and the supporting industry in their area.
This article was featured in the AGC Education Foundation newsletter.
If you are interested in the next Core Plus Educator Externship, please let us know by emailing spatterson@agcwa.com, mharland@agcwa.com
