Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, framing and project management are all crucial aspects of any construction job. Those skills are also key elements of North East ISD’s Summer Construction Camp. The District’s Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) facilitated the camp with Fortitude Concepts LLC, a San Antonio construction company.
Benjamin Pena is one of eight NEISD students who spent their week getting an up-close, hands-on look at what it takes to be successful in the construction industry. That includes building a structure from the ground up so electrical students have two rooms to practice wiring for years to come.
“We started with a bunch of piles of wood on Monday and then we measured all the pieces and started putting it together from scratch,” said Pena. “We’re going to put in the boxes and the outlets next so it’s a lengthy process but it’s really rewarding.”
NEISD’s Construction Technology Academy offers immersive courses in plumbing, HVAC, welding, electrical and construction. Students have the opportunity to earn industry certifications and licenses before they graduate. That means a head start for students like Benjamin who are excited to launch their career.
“When I started as a freshman, I was still planning on going to a four-year college,” said Pena. “But once I got into the program I fell in love with it. I love the hands-on experience we get and the new challenges every day. Now I’m excited to graduate and start my career.”
NEISD’s Construction Technology Academy also offers a unique opportunity for community business partners like Fortitude Construction. Facilitating new opportunities for students is a priority for owner Marc Cook, and a partnership with NEISD is a perfect fit to help build the next generation of construction workers.
“This is a demand-driven industry in San Antonio and being effective as a construction profession may or may not include college,” said Sybel Pici, Fortitude Construction Client Relations. “Giving these students the opportunity to think outside the box like this is something that’s unique to North East ISD.”
Part of this week-long camp included sending students to actual job sites so they could see how vital project management and client relations are to the final product.
“On any construction project you would use math, geometry, science, and a lot of language arts and communications skills,” said Pici. “This all ties into project management, and being able to put together a timeline and product that makes everyone happy.”
Click here to learn more about NEISD’s Construction Technology Academy.
Posted on 7-25-19
