Pizza, Pop and Power Tools Returns!

from GCA Construction News Bulletin April 2023

THE STRATEGY SMALL BUSINESS

Girls experience construction trades after two year absence

By: Jay Forsyth

After skipping the event for two years due to the pandemic, Pizza, Pop and Power Tools returned on March 25 at the new GCA Trades Academy Tiyan Training Facility.

More than 60 middle and high school girls experienced the construction trades of electrical, carpentry (building a tool box), plumbing, and heavy equipment operation.

This was the 10th annual event. The Guam Contractors Association started the event to encourage more women to take a second look at a career in the construction industry.

“By creating a career exploratory experience event starting at a young age like middle and high school, the GCA thought we could encourage more women to consider a career in the construction industry,” said James Martinez, president of the Guam Contractors Association. We are seeing an increase of women in project management, safety, electrical, plumbing, carpentry and heavy equipment operation.”

“Nationally, the construction industry would like to see 15% of the workforce be women. With the military build up on Guam happening, the opportunity for a good career in construction is there,” said Martinez.

Jaylene Kent, president of Isa Coatings & Roofing Supply, and the chartering president of the National Women in Construction Guam Chapter, a co-sponsor of the event with the GCA and the GCA Trades Academy, said Pizza, Pop and Power Tools can be a game changer for some of the girls.

“I like seeing the girls exposed to these new career opportunities where they see other women in the trades and have a good experience,” said Kent.

According to the girls, much was learned during the day.

“I really liked the plumbing. There is actually something wrong with my own toilet and she addressed that specific problem,” Rhylaieh Taitano, George Washington High School.

“I came here last year and I wanted to come back. I’m learning new things like the pipe bending,” Evelyn Heisserer, McCool Middle School building her tool box. “I’ve seen my Dad do it, but I never coming here showed me that it would be a good trade to learn in the future,” Lauren Stettenbenz, SIFA Learning Academy.

“I wanted to come to Pizza, Pop and Power Tools to lean more trade skills. I’m very interested in carpentry. I’ve always liked building stuff and always help my Dad outside,” said Jaychelle Taitano, George Washington High School. “So now, I feel a little bit more comfortable using the equipment to actually do more at home.”

“I came here because I wanted to try something different,” said Jezariah Fausto, Untalan Middle School. “This is new to me. I learned about plumbing and how a toilet works.”

Jesse Pangelinan, Guam Department of Labor, OSHA on-site consultant said he has seen the same level of excitement of girls wanting to operate the heavy equipment each of the 10 years.

“What I have seen are the girls waiting in line to get on the heavy equipment, and then have a lot of fun operating it and pulling the levers,” said Pangelinan, who also is a heavy equipment, project management and sediment and erosion control instructor at the GCA Trades Academy. “Some of the ladies have extremely good eye-hand coordination and can really operate heavy equipment like they were experienced.”

The value of Pizza, Pop and Power Tools is being at the event and the experience.

“There are not a lot of places for girls to be in an environment where they can see the operations of the construction industry,” said Sam Mabini Young, executive director of the Association of Career and Technical Education Guam Chapter. “Not to mention meet individuals who are professionals and who are women who are also in the field of construction.”