Build California school visits inspire students to join the construction workforce

This winter, Build California carried its mission to Southern California by visiting four Inland Empire and Los Angeles County schools that offer Career Technical Education (CTE)/Regional Occupation Program (ROP) classes geared toward construction education.

The visits, which took place between Feb. 22 and Feb. 24, were designed to inspire and attract the next generation of the construction workforce. The Build California team toured construction education classrooms and provided presentations to students about construction pathways, Build California's e-cademy courses, scholarships, school & community program grants, and other resources Build California provides to support instructors and students.

Build California is a comprehensive workforce development initiative created by the AGC Construction Education Foundation (AGC CEF) to inspire, engage, and activate the next generation of California's construction workforce. The program targets target youth, ages12 to24 years-old, and their influencers, such as parents and educators, to bring awareness, prepare and connect them with careers in constructions.

During the Southern California tour, Build California visited Norte Vista High School in Riverside; Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley; Fontana High School in Fontana; and Don Bosco Technical Institute in Rosemead. The team also toured the Southwest Mountain States Carpenters Union Training Center in Ontario with Jeffrey Scott, the union's outreach specialist. At each school visit, the team met with CTE educators and other school administrators to talk about the resources and connections available through Build California.

At EXP's Women in STEM Career Day in Long Beach, Build California spoke with 400 young females to raise awareness about career pathways in construction, Build California's resources, and career counseling. At the event, booths featured AGC of California member companies such as Kiewit Corp., Sully-Miller Contracting Corp., Griffith Co., Swinerton, and PCL Construction.

Build California welcomes all activation opportunities including school presentations, career fairs and other workforce development events and programs! If your local school or company hosts career or workforce development events, or you would like to request Build California's presence at a school, please fill out Build California's School Activation Request Form HERE.