If You Build it, They Will Come

There’s no way to frame my perspective on Explore Construction Camp, held at the Southeastern Career Center in Versailles, Indiana, other than to bore deeply into the riveting events which transpired therein. Whilst building birdhouse, connecting copper wire, and operating heavy-machine, those in attendance laid a foundation for careers in construction - ranging from carpentry to electronics. I was struck by the intersectionality of these trades, and thus, am inspired to be the architect of this blog post.

Students were given the opportunity to work with the Construction Instructors at the Southeastern Career Center where they learned entry-level, yet necessary, skills for the trade - beginning with a discussion about safety and equipment and, subsequently, applying those principles to the hands-on craft. Over the course of several hours, students took turns building birdhouses, operating heavy machinery, and wiring electrical sockets and light fixtures. The camp served as an introduction to the basics of construction and the trades involved in hopes that students would be provided with enough information to help them discern a potential future career path, or illuminate an area of personal interest.

Todd Ault, an instructor of Building Trades at the Southeastern Career Center, reflected on the value of this camp, jovially saying, “I think it’s three-fold, first of all, it gets these kids out of the house! But, importantly, it gives them the chance to learn through a hands on project, and it provides confidence and skills they may not be exposed to otherwise. When they’re at each station, and they see something new, it exposes them to different possibilities in their lives and careers.”

The hands-on approach to learning about high-demand, high-wage careers was of great value to the campers, many of whom indicated that learning through ‘doing’, and applying classroom skills to simulated situations, gave them a glimpse of what these careers are really like. The change of pace from traditional forms of education provided the students with a breath of fresh air and introduced them to new skills that aren’t learned in a classroom setting.

For Kynnadi Hartley, an upcoming 8th grader from Rising Sun, Explore Construction Camp reiterated the importance of hands-on learning, where she shared, “I liked either the carpentry or the big machines. They have a lot of hands-on learning. We were able to experience the work which is important for getting a job in the future.”  Kynnadi was one of three female students that attended Explore Construction Camp.

Genesis: Pathways to Success would like to thank the Southeastern Career Center and all of its volunteers for their time, wisdom, and passionate teaching. These up-close experiences were invaluable for every camper, and allowed each to learn more about construction trades.