The Indiana Union Construction Industry recently hosted high school students from Marion and surrounding counties at The Construction Zone, one of the largest construction workforce development events in the state. The event was held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Agriculture and Horticulture Building at 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis.
Hosted by the Central Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council and the Indiana Careers in Construction Association, the workforce development event provided students with direct, hands-on exposure to the diverse and the life-changing careers in the union construction industry.
Construction Apprenticeship Enrollment Growing Nationally
While the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) reports significant growth in membership and record numbers of new apprentices entering the building trades across the nation, finding talent continues to challenge Indiana’s construction industry.
“Investing in workforce development programs like the Construction Zone provides students with more than an introduction to the construction trades,” says Jon Hooker, President of the Central Indiana Building & Construction Trades Council. “It provides them with a direct path to a rewarding lifelong career and an introduction to some of our top employers.”
The Construction Zone provides venues where students interested in the industry can make connections with future employers; and where employers can recruit from a pool of individuals that are already interested in the construction field.
In addition, The Construction Zone highlights a unique "earn-while-you-learn" model in the union construction industry that stands in stark contrast to traditional four-year degree paths. Union apprenticeship programs are self-funded and offered at zero tuition costs to students. Through a long-standing partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, apprentices can earn an associate’s degree in applied science with zero debt as part of their apprenticeship program.
"Our goal is to ensure that the event will be educational and inspiring for students navigating their next steps after high school," says Lynn Busby, Director of Community Outreach for the Indiana Careers in Construction Association. “We want to be the conduit that assists students interested in exploring a career in construction.”
