ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday, ten Upper Peninsula seniors participated in a special draft. However, instead of signing with athletic teams, they signed with local employers.
Throughout the school year, students in the Construction Connect U.P. program have been working for companies like Gundlach Champion, Berger & King, and Prime Specialty Contracting. Friday morning, they were drafted into apprenticeships in trades like plumbing, pipefitting, and electrical contracting.
In addition to helping students prepare for the future, Construction Connect U.P. helps to fill much-needed roles in the workforce.
“Our number one export in the Upper Peninsula is 18- to 25-year-olds,” said Upper Peninsula Construction Council President Mike Smith. “We have to do everything that we can do in order to create pathways to whatever their success looks like.”
Each student received a $2,000 scholarship, a Milwaukee PACKOUT kit, and apparel from their new employer.
To learn more about Construction Connect U.P., click here.
