Future Builders Academy Promotes Career Success

This summer, 27 local high school students spent a week gaining hands-on experience in the construction field at the Future Builders Academy and Internship program that took place on campus. The program is sponsored by the East Valley Tech Prep Consortium, Western Maricopa Tech Prep Consortium and GateWay, and is designed to expose interested high school students ages 16 and over to the construction field and to help them gain work experience through a variety of paid internships.

Students who participate in the construction academy have already shown strong capabilities and interest at their schools. What they need and respond to well is the opportunity to bridge the gap into actual work. This opportunity is met by members of the ABA (Arizona Builders’ Alliance). While preparing for the future's workforce needs, these civic-minded companies also realize that many students, if not afforded the opportunity to experience work in a field they enjoy, may flounder needlessly for years upon graduation.

The program accepts students through recommendation by instructors in the various school districts of Maricopa County. At the academy, students receive OSHA-10 construction safety training and earn three college credits. College credits are paid for by the Department of Education Arizona Tech Prep and training and internships are provided by the Arizona Builders’ Alliance members. Certified teachers of various school districts are also involved.

Most of the 27 students are now working in paid internships at various contractors and will work full-time jobs throughout the summer. In August, many of the students return to school but those who have already graduated high school are eligible for full-time continuous employment.

There are several accomplishments that stood out this year, including the dedication of the ABA members involved in the support, training and hiring of interns while faced with a severe economic downturn. Without their dedication, this program could not be the success it has proven to be. Also, the students involved all successfully completed the week-long classes, completed OSHA training, powder-actuated training and construction training activities, and all were eager to work in the construction field. And, GateWay Community College provided an ideal setting for our training because of the dedicated individuals that helped to make this program a success.