{"id":1137,"date":"2019-09-03T21:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-09-03T21:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/constructioncareers.org\/?p=1137"},"modified":"2022-08-24T21:28:13","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T21:28:13","slug":"back-to-school-news-constructioncareers-org-helps-minnesota-high-school-students-learn-about-careers-in-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/constructioncareers.org\/back-to-school-news-constructioncareers-org-helps-minnesota-high-school-students-learn-about-careers-in-construction\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to School News: ConstructionCareers.org Helps Minnesota High School Students Learn About Careers in Construction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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NEWS RELEASE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota\u2019s trade unions, construction companies and DEED fund statewide effort \u2013 Construction Career Pathways \u2013 to attract a new generation into Minnesota\u2019s building and construction trades. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNEAPOLIS\/ST. PAUL, Minn. \u2013 For the graduating class of 2020, the future is looking brighter — especially if you\u2019re a student who questions whether college or the military is right for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s because there\u2019s a third option: a career in Minnesota\u2019s building and construction trades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota\u2019s building trades unions, construction companies and the State of Minnesota have teamed up to get the word out to Minnesota\u2019s high school students about good-paying, highly satisfying careers in the construction trades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the center of their efforts is ConstructionCareers.org, a website that introduces high school students to 30 different career options in Minnesota\u2019s building and construction trades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the Construction Career Pathways’ landing page students can explore construction careers, apprenticeship opportunities, and real stories of Minnesota tradespeople. The Construction Careers Pathway (CCP) Alliance is a collaborative effort to provide year-round construction career exploration opportunities for Minnesota youth.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost Minnesota students feel pressured by their parents, teachers and peers to enter a four-year college or university after high school,\u201d said Sarah Lechowich, Senior Director with the Construction Careers Foundation, a St. Paul nonprofit that oversees the Construction Career Pathways initiative. \u201cBut some enjoy learning through doing and can\u2019t see themselves in college. That\u2019s where we come in \u2013 to introduce the idea that you can be a success and make good money while working with your hands as an electrician, plumber or ironworker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to providing career information, students who are at least 18 years old and have earned their high school degree or GED can begin the application process through ConstructionCareers.org for an apprenticeship in the building and construction trades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lechowich said apprenticeships offered by Minnesota\u2019s trade unions and their contractors are typically multi-year programs where an apprentice works with a journeyperson to learn a specific craft and skill set, such as pipefitting or operating heavy equipment. Once accepted, an apprentice immediately earns a paycheck while learning. In addition to incurring no college debt, building trade apprentices also obtain healthcare and dental insurance and are enrolled in a union pension plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an introduction, during the school year, high school students can learn about construction careers through hands-on opportunities sponsored by Construction Career Pathways, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n