HARRIS, Mich. (WZMQ) – U.P. high school students are putting their Career and Technical Education (CTE) skills to work by helping with major projects in their communities.
Bark River-Harris senior Aiden Wandahsega is part of Construction Connect UP, a program that gives young people hands-on experience in skilled trades. Aiden is learning from construction tradesmen as they work on the expansion of the Island Resort & Casino Convention Center.
“Construction Connect U.P. gets kids like me out on the jobsite, getting experience with different trades to possibly eventually work for them one day,” he said.
Aiden has been working with the Carpenter’s Union and Gundlach Champion at the Convention Center. Trent Bellingar, CTE Director at the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (ISD), says connecting students with different contractors and tradespeople in high school exposes them to career possibilities they may not have otherwise known about.
“These students are all seniors in high school, and they took Building Trades their junior year,” said Bellingar. “Now, they’ve got a certain proficiency, so let’s get them out there and have those experiences. What we’re all about in CTE is trying to help students make educated choices after high school, so instead of just sitting in a room listening about these different trades, they’re actually out trying it.”
Aiden says he has learned a lot from the professionals he’s worked with. After graduation, he hopes to become a carpenter.
“It’s been a great experience just because it puts you in a real-world situation where you can be a part of something bigger,” Aiden said. “I’ve gained a lot more confidence through the program to be able to know what I’m doing and be confident with it.”
At the end of the school year, Aiden and other Construction Connect UP students will be “drafted” into apprenticeships. In addition to giving students a head start on their career, The Upper Peninsula Construction Council says the program also strengthens the local workforce.”
“We have a great deal of work, and we need more talent in our area,” said Construction Council Executive Director Michael Smith. “We figured, what better way to recruit students and give them an opportunity of what a pathway might look like? All of these students have been outstanding. They’re responsible, know how to show up on time, very teachable. I can’t say enough about what the students are doing. They’re just doing a great job.”
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! provides additional resources for Construction Connect UP students preparing to start their careers, including administrative and payroll resources.
“For students that are rotating through different experiences, instead of each of those employers having to go through and do new hire paperwork for each individual, we can just be that consistent presence for the youth,” said Darren Widder, Director of Special Initiatives at Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Students interested in participating in Construction Connect UP are encouraged to contact their school. To learn more about the program, visit upmichiganworks.org.
