There’s no question that a shortage of skilled tradespeople and professionals is a critical issue facing the construction industry. One of AGC’s top strategic objectives, on both the local and national level, is to improve workforce and professional development efforts in order to increase the depth, diversity, and quality of skilled construction workers for the future.
As a recent recipient of AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter workforce grant funds, Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc.’s mission to promote success for women in the trades through education, leadership, and mentorship goes hand-in-hand with AGC’s workforce initiatives. One of the main programs they sponsor is the Building Girls Summer Camp for middle school and high school-aged girls, held each year at the University of Portland. The Building Girls program helps to fill a critical gap for young women by offering ways to explore the variety of exciting, high-paying careers available in the trades. Through the Building Girls camp, participants learn a variety of skills including basic math and measurement, construction basics (measuring wood, using a skill saw, and hammering nails), appropriate tool use, and safety.
AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter member Andersen Construction Company, in partnership with the local Portland chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), was in charge of coordinating the Tile Day activities for this year’s Building Girls camp. AGC was asked to volunteer at one of these Tile Day events, and was able to see first-hand the workforce grant funds in action. Eager and enthusiastic campers were able to express their individual creativity by constructing mosaic tile tabletops, from the tile selection, to applying the mortar, to the final step of grouting their tabletop.
[clear]For more information about Oregon Tradeswomen’s Building Girls Camp, please click here.
