More than 2,600 Michigan students don hardhats for Construction Career Days

Students from schools across the state receive hands-on instruction on the equipment that builds Michigan’s infrastructure

HOWELL, Mich. – More than 2,600 students from schools across Michigan received hands-on training Thursday and Friday at the 11th annual Construction Career Days at the Operating Engineers 324 Construction Career Center.

“Construction Career Days is a unique opportunity to learn about many of the fun and rewarding opportunities in the skilled trades by providing students with hands-on experience on large construction equipment used to build and repair our roads, bridges and schools,” said John Hartwell, apprentice coordinator for Operating Engineers 324. “There is a shortage of skilled trades workers in Michigan and Construction Career Days is one of the ways we’re working to close that gap and develop talent right here in Michigan.”

Students in seventh through 12th grades spent Thursday and Friday working with real construction equipment and real construction materials. Every square inch of OE 324’s 555-acre training center in Howell was covered with different stations, allowing students to try their hands at many different construction trades.

“We want to thank our team of highly trained, dedicated instructors who used their expertise to ensure a safe, hands-on learning environment for these students and our contractors for loaning their equipment to help train the next generation of skilled trades workers,” said Lee Graham, executive director of Operating Engineers 324 LMEC.

“Our students look forward to Construction Career Days all year because they enjoy the hands-on experience they receive,” said Russ Ciesielski, superintendent of Linden Community Schools. “We’re grateful to Operating Engineers 324 for hosting this event and helping open the door to the many rewarding careers in the skilled trades.”