BY JENN OTT, MODERN POURED WALLS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES 

Bringing classrooms and careers together at the 2025 Lorain County Career Pathways Expo, Modern Poured Walls (MPW) Construction Services proudly represented the concrete construction industry demonstrating that we build more than concrete structures- we build futures. Held in late October at the Lorain County Fairgrounds Ross Expo Center in Wellington, Ohio, which transformed into an array of opportunities for students to explore a multitude of career paths. 

The Educational Service Center of Lorain County created the expo as an educational event to connect classroom learning to real-world careers. Over the course of two action-packed days, the Career Pathways Expo brought together more than 3,000 students from 15 school districts to explore hands-on exhibits representing collective industry specific skills utilized daily, all led by local businesses. Among the 46 businesses participating, there was a diverse representation of exhibits highlighting opportunities in manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, skilled trades and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Participants explored their future opportunities ranging from changing tires, running construction equipment, electrical wiring and tattooing, to learning CPR. The event afforded thousands of students the opportunity to connect with countless possibilities to help them envision themselves as the next generation of skilled professionals. Each business was committed to showing the future workforce that there is more to skilled trades than manual labor, but rather that it is about innovation, precision and pride in craftsmanship. 

When asked why MPW choose to participate in the Career Expo, President Scott Smith said, “We’ve traditionally hired locally and then help people advance and build their skills in concrete and excavation work.” Smith commented further, “We see this event as a way to educate students to the types of jobs available in our industry and that they can learn from the bottom up; while developing good work and attendance habits so they can build meaningful lives here in Lorain County.” 

As the eager career-seekers entered, the center buzzed with enthusiasm and excitement as they donned gloves and safety glasses to venture out to learn through various interactive activities. The event was a lively and engaging way to inspire the next generation. Students in middle and high school explored multiple professions, leading each student to get a tangible taste of different careers paths right in their back yard. 

Students Get Their Hands Dirty and Minds Inspired 

Inside the Modern Poured Walls exhibit, learning came alive in a way that a classroom can’t replicate. The exhibit staged three hands-on activities to represent our work in the concrete construction industry. At one station, the MPW team introduced them to rebar so they could learn the importance of its use for structural integrity. Once educated, the students were taught to tie vertical and horizontal rebar. The next display enabled them to get their hands dirty by building forms using one-foot panels illustrating not only the importance of teamwork, but also of working safely and efficiently. This activity prompted students to simulate building using real-world tools and industry parts. Furthermore, it showed real-life examples of how they encounter the finished products of our construction in their daily lives. Third and by far the most attended station, was the replication of our excavation and transportation departments by using excavation equipment to load trucks to be hauled and dumped. Students lined up to operate the equipment in the sandbox which put their skills to the test. Operating the R/C equipment enabled students to feel like an operator and try controls used in everyday construction. 

Outside the event entrance, MPW displayed a crane truck flying the event banner for all to see. Having the crane truck at the event showed a sample of the industry innovation of heavy equipment as the truck featured a knuckle boom used to deliver and recover panel forms from jobs daily by our team. MPW took the very core of our business and put it on display to challenge students to imagine the opportunities that skilled trades can offer. 

Behind the Scenes: MPW’s Effort 

Behind the scenes, there was a true collaboration of MPW’s team from the planning meetings leading up to the expo, the diligence of coordinating all the moving pieces for the event to build and prepare hands-on activities, all the way down to execution. Steve Osborn, project manager at MPW, stated, “We came together nicely as a team, and I really enjoyed the student engagement and questions!” 

MPW was thrilled to see the eagerness of our leaders to step up to participate in this community-based event by staffing our booth. Those who were involved shared their wealth of industry knowledge with curious students taking time to answer questions as they arose. “Our contribution showcasing active hands-on stations for students was for more than just education of our company, but also to teach that skilled trades and construction is more than a job—it’s a career that builds, cultivates and inspires communities, teams and futures,” said Jenn Ott, human resources, MPW. 

By the close of the two-day event, thousands of students had visited and did their best when trying MPW’s three stations. “It was empowering to see the pride on students faces as they left knowing they built something real or even made the choice to try something they have never explored or considered before,” shared Ott, “this experience really opens up the door for students to give deep consideration to their future to seek a career path for them that is both interesting and rewarding.” 

The most lasting structures aren’t just made of concrete, they’re built through connection. 

“As a featured exhibitor at the Lorain County Career Pathways Expo, MPW Construction Services demonstrated how industry partnerships can shape both learning and the local workforce,” stated Dave Miller, president of the Lorain County Business Advisory Council. “Their commitment to mentorship and hands-on engagement perfectly reflects the event’s mission to connect classrooms to careers. MPW Construction Services understands that the most lasting structures aren’t just made of concrete, they’re built through connection. By mentoring students at the Career Pathways Expo, they helped to lay the foundation for a workforce that’s as strong and enduring as the projects they construct. Furthermore, MPW embodied the spirit of community partnership, bridging classroom learning with real-world opportunity. Their work reminds us that the same principles that define great construction—strength, stability and purpose—are also what build a strong future workforce.” 

Laying the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Workforce 

The impact of the expo was clear: it wasn’t just an event, it was an investment in students today leading to a strong labor force tomorrow. The Lorain County Career Pathways Expo turned opportunities and education into action. As MPW reflects on the two days of learning, laughter and discovery, we are honored to have participated. We believe this is where education and industry meet to build a strong foundation for tomorrow’s workforce.