Students dig in to construction fair

Posted: Sep 23, 2009 1:06 PM by Andy Koen
Updated: Sep 23, 2009 1:06 PM

There are jobs to be had in construction thanks to stimulus money. According to the Governor's office, over 3,500 people went back to work last month in Colorado alone.

In order to attract younger workers to their ranks, local construction companies and unions Wednesday hosted the Colorado Construction Careers Days. The event gives high school students the chance to get their hand dirty learning about the industry from the men and women who live and work in it everyday.

"We're trying to students interested in the field construction, know that they can make a good living in construction," explains Alex Fotenos, Vice President of TAB Construction which hosted the event.

The construction workforce is growing older and event organizer Connie Stevenson said the goal of Construction Career Days is to excite and attract younger workers.

"The average age is like over 40," Stevenson said.

"We want our students to come in and learn what is available to them."

The students are realizing that construction work isn't as intimidating as it may seem.

"I think it'd be kind of fun to do," said Heather Moore after spending some time operating a backhoe.

"I think this is a great thing because you get to experience what it's like on a construction site," said Ethan Baber as he was finishing a sheet metal project.

This is the 9th year of the event. It's been hosting in Colorado Springs three of those years.