Tools For Schools

BHS construction students get hands-on opportunities to build electric circuits.

T LS FOR SCHOOLS

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER

Photos y Joey Halvorson iguring out what to do after graduation can be daunting. There are many options and each student will choose a different path to finding their future job. Most of them will probably change their minds at least once before they ever land a job in a full-time career. Exploring every possibility is important. F

Tool donations to BHS from Mid-Minnesota’s Builders Association. Submitted photo.

“THERE’S NOT SO MUCH PUSHING TO GO TO A FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL, BUT MORE HELPING STUDENTS FIND THE RIGHT TRAINING FOR THE JOB THEY WANT.” Brian Bordwell, Brainerd High School Career and Technical Education instructor

In December Brainerd High School and the Mid-Minnesota Builders Association, hosted Tools for Schools, an event that introduces students to the various trade careers that are available.

Brainerd High School Career and Technical Education instructor Brian Bordwell says over a dozen different trades were represented, from electricians to plumbers, HVAC and draftsmen. Most don’t require a fouryear college degree.

During the afternoon students heard a short presentation from each company in attendance and then broke into small groups with a chance to visit various stations with representatives from each employer. They learned more about the various careers and asked questions about what the jobs entail, what future employment looks like and explore some of the equipment used.

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Real world experiences is a key learning element in the Building Trades classes.

Over 140 students, in grades 9-12, turned out to participate in the Brainerd event. “It was nice to have a variety of kids from different grades,” Bordwell says, “Both boys and girls. We had kids that are still experimenting and exploring classes for registration in the younger grades, and some kids who are trying to figure out what they are going to do when they leave here this year.”

“THEY CAN REALLY MAKE A GREAT LIVING WITH THE TRADES...” Colleen Faacks, Mid-Minnesota Builders Association Executive Officer

“I think the pendulum has changed a little bit,” said Bordwell, “There’s not so much pushing to go to a fouryear school, but more helping students find the right training for the job they want.”

Mid-Minnesota Builders Association Executive Officer Colleen Faacks says the association has the event at three area schools each year. Each event is a little different, but it is open to all the association members who would like to visit the schools.

“Sometimes we have four different construction companies speak because each is so different. Working at a larger commercial-residential builder is different than working for a one-man business.”

“Whether the students stay in the area after graduation or not,” Faacks says, “once they learn them, these skills are transferable. A lot of employers are willing to help train their employees. Some companies will even pay for their education. They can really make a great living with

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the trades. Being able to show them that and validate that it’s a real option is a win, win, win for everybody.”

“No subject is off-topic,” says Faacks, of the day, “One of the tables talks about the importance of soft skills. Our members stress to the students that if you show up and you’re dependable and you want to learn you can write your own ticket. If you can’t communicate and don’t show up, you aren’t going to have a job.”

“About 10 years ago things kind of started to change,” says Faacks. “Parents used to say they all wanted their child to go to a four-year school but that wasn’t a perfect fit for everyone. Students started to end up $80,000 in debt and got out of school making $30,000 the first few years.”

Schools that participate in the Tools for Schools program each receive a donation from the association in more than $1,000 worth of tools for their Technical Education department.

Feedback following the Brainerd event was very good, says Bordwell. “The contractors said the kids were respectful, interested in what they had to say, and they had some good questions. It was a great day for everyone. It’s important to just expose them to the things that are out there.” B u i l d i n g C o m p e t i t i o n Deer Stand

Two teams from Brainerd High School participated in a building competition at this year’s Home & Outdoor Show at the Brainerd Exchange on the campus of Northern Pacific Center. • Each team completed a deer stand for judging. • The two four-person teams, one all-male and one all-female, competed against a total of 10 teams. • Each team was sponsored by a mentor from the Mid-Minnesota Builders Association and consisted of a shop teacher, four students and a member of the association who is a licensed builder. • Visitors to the Home & Outdoor Show were able to walk through the competition and check out the projects as they were in progress.

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