54 students shadow in construction

Midlands Education and Business Alliance and the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina have placed 54 students from Midland’s school districts in job shadowing opportunities in construction. This program was offered in conjunction with October 2017 being Careers in Construction Month in South Carolina.

On October 5, 2017, students participated in a day of job shadowing in a construction pathway of their interest to include project management, masonry, welding, superintendent, electrician, architecture, general construction as well civil and mechanical engineering. Students will gain exposure to these specific careers while learning about current and future workforce needs, earning potential, required skills and education, and how they can be prepared to go to work in the construction industry.

MEBA and BIACSC have recruited many industry partners from residential and commercial construction to provide this extended learning opportunity to students: 803Iron, C. Jeff Stroud Architects, Covert Homes, ERA Wilder Realty, Essex Homes Southeast, Farmer Construction, Great Southern Homes, Hood Construction, J.C. Wilkie Construction, Kehoe Constructors, Kirk Commercial Construction, LLE Construction Group, Mungo Homes, Specialty Woodworks, Total Comfort Services and Vista Engineering. Instead of going to school, students worked for the day with these industry partners and experience first-hand what it is like to go to work in construction field.

“Job shadowing is a great opportunity for a student to explore their career interests and make informed decisions about their college and career goals,” said Samantha Turner, Workforce Development Manager for Midlands Education and Business Alliance. “Collaboration and partnership are vital to the success of building a prepared workforce for the future. Working with the BIA and organizations like National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC), MEBA has been able to provide students and educators with real-world experiences vital to student success in planning for college, career and citizenship.”