The AHBA participated in Construction Career Day on March 27th in collaboration with the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board and Carolinas Association of General Contractors. Alongside 30+ participating companies, the AHBA shared local construction career opportunities and showed students what careers in construction can look like. Over 1000 high school students participated from Asheville City, Buncombe, Jackson, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania County Schools.
Volunteers from AHBA’s Workforce Development Committee talked with students about AHBA specific resources that including the AHBA Scholarship Program, Speakers Bureau, Job Board and the Job Seekers Board. Committee volunteers engaged with students by testing their knowledge on correct shape names, how to measure to the 16th and also with a timed nail sorting competition. Each activity they completed increased their chances of winning the movie theatre gift card donated by Builders FirstSource. Each student walked away knowing how to read their very own keychain tape measure donated by 84 Lumber. Other employer activities included brick laying, window installation, torch down roofing demos and more.
AHBA Executive Officer, Megan Carroll, facilitated a panel of industry professionals to present to the students. Panel members included MB Haynes NC Apprentice of the Year, Gerald Brooks, Philip Green of Benton Roofing and AHBA members, Ashley Kepley-Steward of Red Tree Builders and Liz Turvaville of Rep Tile Mosaics. Panel members spoke on their area of expertise as well as industry and career advice to students taking the next steps in pursuing their careers.
Ashley Kepley-Steward said, “ Speaking at Construction Career Day was a great experience. Being involved in events like this always excites me because I know there will be at least one person who connects with the information I am providing and it may, in some way, get them excited about construction. I got involved with the Workforce Development Committee for that purpose, to make a difference in someone’s life who may feel like they don’t know where to start or may not have the confidence to get the ball rolling. That one small bit of insight you give someone could change their whole perspective and show them that the construction career path could be right for them.”
The AHBA Workforce Development Committee is a dedicated team of members taking direct action in a collaborative effort to address the labor shortage of skilled workers in the home building industry. This committee takes an active role in promoting and growing awareness of skilled trades and careers in construction in our local schools and community, while identifying and strengthening key partnerships with our local workforce development board, schools and other organizations.Interested in getting involved? Visit www.ashevillehba.com/careers for more information or contact the AHBA Office at (828)299-7001.
