Stephens and Smith Concrete Construction participates with a Trades/Industry Program

Attracting tomorrow’s workforce to the concrete industry involves fostering early engagement and understanding of the field. Introducing high school students to construction trades through a structured workshop approach holds immense potential in shaping their perception of and interest in concrete careers.

“Our TIP program is designed to provide hands-on training and education to youth in the community, specifically in the trades industry,” said Jeremy Trujillo, the director of the Trades/Industry Program at Lighthouse After School. The Lighthouse After School Trades/Industry Program is designed to expose youth to the trades, particularly those from low-income families, in order to better equip them to pursue a well-paying career in construction, manufacturing, automotive repair, trucking, welding, and electrical work. “Our program teaches students the skills they need to be successful in the industry, while also providing them with real-world experience through on-the-job training, internships and apprenticeships. This is a great way to break the poverty cycle in our community and give youth from low-income families an opportunity to achieve a better standard of living. We are dedicated to providing the youth of our community with the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. With the support of local businesses and trade organizations, we are confident that our program will make a real difference in the lives of the youth in our community.”

One of the program’s current students, Sandra, shared from her experience. “For a couple years now, I helped my dad work for his and my uncle’s concrete company,” she said. “I barely had any background knowledge on concrete and cement. I just went straight into hands-on. Going to this class has given me so much knowledge on the concrete industry and how it’s portrayed. Jereme [Montgomery] really helped me understand that concrete isn’t just a job, but something that is crucial in our everyday lives. I never realized that there are different parts to concrete then just cement and water—there’s technique that goes into it. Learning more in depth about concrete has given me more of an opportunity to pursue something in the concrete industry. This class has given me a chance to think more about being a concrete contractor, and not thinking it’s just something that’s going to put food on the table.”

Jereme Montgomery, Business Development Manager for Stephens and Smith Construction of Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, is passionate for these efforts and spearheaded a recent six-week curriculum with Trujillo. “I believe the program with Stephens and Smith Construction was a successful first exposure to the industry,” Trujillo said. “We had an excellent and very knowledgeable professional in Jereme, who was able to teach and demonstrate the concrete industry to our teens, some of whom have never thought of this industry as an option after high school. I believe this program is a great way to introduce teens to this career path.”

Montgomery and Trujillo are both aware that many students “know” about jobs in the industry, whether through a career fair at school or from a relative who works in the industry. “Wherever they obtain information on the industry, they don’t truly understand the depth of the career path,” Trujillo said. “Students have been talked to about all the benefits and challenges, but until you actually work with the material, see the ready-mix plant, learn about the science behind the process, and put it into action—then they start to get a true understanding of the industry.”

The approach with the curriculum developed by Stephens and Smith Construction helped the students get excited to learn about a potential career pathway. Designed for this purpose, the Lighthouse After School Program is a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The introductory week sets the stage by acquainting students with the vast scope of and various career avenues within concrete construction. Exploring the diverse roles, from concrete masonry to structural engineering, illuminates the breadth of opportunities available.

“This class taught me that there is more to know about this industry even after you uncover a lot,” reflected Tyler, another student from this recent six-week program. “That if you put in time and effort there is no telling what you can do in this industry; you can go places and make it far. It doesn’t take much but a little bit of effort and you can succeed.”

Subsequent weeks of the program are dedicated to immersive experiences. Tours to a ready-mix plant and local projects offered a firsthand view of the industry’s operations and real-world applications. Witnessing the machinery, observing the processes, and engaging with professionals sparks curiosity and showcases the concrete industry’s dynamism. Students get a glimpse of how theory is put into practice, making the concepts tangible and relatable.

The focus on concrete’s properties and testing is pivotal. Understanding the material’s characteristics, its durability, and the quality control measures involved instills a sense of the science behind the construction. This knowledge serves as a foundation for appreciating precision and quality in the field.

“One thing I can confidently say I learned from doing concrete with Jereme [Montgomery] is that cement and concrete aren’t the same thing,” Sajad, another of the students taking this recent course, said. “Cement is the powder and concrete is cement mixed with water and aggregate. That piece of information may not be the best type of knowledge to know, but you know what they say, ‘knowledge is power!’”

The hands-on placing and finishing architectural concrete demo in week five was, for some students, a transformative experience. Allowing students to engage physically with concrete, maneuver tools, and witness the transformation of a raw material into a finished structure fostered a deeper connection. It ignited a sense of accomplishment and demystified the process, and it had the potential to kindle a passion for the craftsmanship involved. “It was very fun, and my favorite part was making a concrete slab,” reflected Eh Di, another participating student who was impacted by the experience.

“One of my favorite classes of this program was the hands-on placing and finishing architectural concrete,” Trujillo said. “They all enjoyed seeing the process that they learned about come to life then be able to see something tangible that they built. Most of the students decided to keep their 2-by-2-foot concrete samples they created. It was great seeing how proud they were of these, carrying them to their vehicles to take home. These teens were excited to carry a 50-to-60-pound piece of concrete! They came back the following day to tell me how they took them to show their loved ones. It was the same pride you hear from professionals in the trades industry when they pass a project they worked on.” Trujillo recalls the number of times he has heard construction workers share the pride they had in helping pour a parking garage, install the roof on a building, or build that home on the corner. Likewise, Trujillo said, “I am proud of every residential home I worked on and will point it out if my family and I pass them. I saw that same pride out of our teens on the 2-by-2 concrete sample!”

In the final week, students were introduced to different pathways they could take to get in to the industry. This included just diving in to the industry after high school, apprenticeships, adding certifications, and obtaining diplomas, like a two-year associate degree in concrete construction or even getting a four-year degree. Jennifer Manatt, a representative for the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program, joined the event on the last week to show students opportunities at San Diego State University, one of several post-secondary institutions with dedicated construction curricula.

This workshop approach is instrumental in increasing awareness of concrete industry careers among high school students. It bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field. Moreover, this exposure can dispel misconceptions and stereotypes about manual labor by showcasing the innovation, technology, and skill involved in concrete construction.

By engaging students at this impressionable age, the workshop aims to ignite interest and plant the seeds for future career exploration. It offers a unique opportunity for students to explore their potential interests and consider a path they might not have previously imagined. Furthermore, the program’s duration allows for continuous engagement, enabling students to absorb information gradually and fostering a sustained interest.

In conclusion, the workshop approach—which integrates theory, practical experiences, and industry exposure over a six-week period—is a proactive strategy to attract high school students to the concrete industry. By offering a comprehensive overview, dispelling myths, and providing hands-on experiences, this program aims to inspire the next generation of skilled tradespeople, contributing to the sustainability and growth of the concrete industry.