ACE Mentor Program of Northeast Florida has held its inaugural Trades Day to introduce high school students to a variety of construction trades through demonstrations and hands-on activities with local firms.
The Feb. 24 event at American Electrical Contracting, was designed to educate students about the immediate trade job opportunities within the industry in Northeast Florida.
Although contractors are increasingly busy and are eager to hire more workers, low rate of unemployment and record job openings in construction show how difficult it is bringing enough workers on board.
“Skilled tradespeople are the backbone of the construction industry, and many of our students simply aren’t aware of the vast job opportunities, which pay well and offer long-term career growth,” Nicole Eubanks, affiliate director of ACE Mentor Program of Northeast Florida, said in a statement.
“With rising construction activity in Florida and tight labor market conditions, it’s vital that we take additional steps to recruit and train tomorrow’s workers.”
Founded in 2007, the ACE Mentor Program of Northeast Florida is an after-school program for high school students interested in exploring careers in architecture, construction and engineering.
Through office tours, college visits, hands-on activities and site visits, the program introduces students to the industry’s various disciplines. Under the mentorship of more than 80 local industry professionals, students work in teams on projects that simulate real-life situations. ACE Mentor Program of Northeast Florida also provides scholarships to participating students to continue their education within the industry.