On June 14, over 50 high school and job corps students learned to bend sheet metal, frame a house, lay brick, and wield a cutting torch as part of the Workforce Development Council sponsored Construction Carnival.

Held at the Smokey Point Naval Family Support Center Complex,
teams of journeymen were onsite to answer questions and let students get their hands on construction and building trades equipment.
Participating exhibitors included the Western Washington Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, hosting a booth at which students were able to build a sheet-metal tool tray to take with them, and Star Rentals, providing the three lifts (fork, scissor, and boom) which students could ride after attending a short safety lesson.

"This is a exciting event for the students," explains Eric Peterson with the Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC, "it lets them get their hands on the equipment. It's the fastest way to get them turned on to these careers. And we need more smart, hard-working candidates in the industry."

Energizing youth about construction careers is an important initiative in Snohomish County as workforce demands outnumber skilled workers. Often seen as a dirty or low-wage work, unions, workforce development agencies, and local educators are working to change the perception of these in-demand, high-wage careers.

"Most high school kids don't know about the apprenticeship opportunities available after graduation," explains Kelly Humann with the Glaziers Local 188. "They don't realize they'll start at over $20 an hour and continue to move up the career ladder into very competitive-waged jobs, all while earning college credit."

For students who aren't interested in a traditional four-year degree, "apprenticeship is a terrific alternative. In fact, unions have long called apprenticeship 'the original four-year degree,'" explains Sam Samano, Business Services Manager for Workforce Development Council Snohomish County. "Not everyone is going to succeed in college, and we have to start providing career options for students who are more hands-on in their learning styles.  It's time for us to start talking about real high-wage, high-skills jobs in the construction and building trades that don't get as much air time as the doctors and lawyers.

Other event sponsors included the Snohomish County Construction Careers Partnership, Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC, The Glaziers Architectural Metal & Glassworkers, Edmonds Community College, Habitat for Humanity, Brightwater Treatment Facility, Star Rentals, and the Master Builders Education Foundation.

Additional exhibitors included Everett Electricians, Northwest Washington Electrical Industry JATC, Pacific Northwest Ironworkers, and more.  Exhibitor fees covered the cost of providing, in typical carnival fashion, a hot dog and an ice cream bar for the attending students.

With the palpable excitement the journeymen brought about their industries, they provided the students with a glimpse into a future in the building trades as well.

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