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CONSTRUCTION CAREER PATHWAYS BUSINESS
TOOLKIT

This toolkit will provide you with all the resources you need to prepare for a successful event.

GUIDELINES FOR YOUR CLASSROOM VISIT

agenda

Introduction (10 mins)

  • Who you are.

  • Your role in the construction industry.

  • Brief overview of your employer.

Career Exploration (15 mins)

  • Different career paths in construction

  • Job roles and responsibilities.

  • Career progression opportunities.

Real-World Insights (10 mins)

  • Day-to-day work experiences.

  • Challenging and rewarding aspects of construction careers.

  • Personal stories and career journeys.​

Education and Training (10 mins)

  • Required education and certifications.

  • Apprenticeship programs.

  • Skill development pathways.

Q&A (5-15 mins)

  • Encourage student questions

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Presentation Tips​

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  • Rather than starting with historical information, hook students with an interesting anecdote.

  • Take something they find interesting and show how, with the right skills and training, they could do it themselves. If your product or service isn't something they personally use, explain how it impacts their community.

  • Use simple, clear language and avoid jargon and industry terms.

  • Include visual aids, photos of projects, and videos of work in progress.

  • Consider bringing safety equipment, tools, or materials for students to see and touch.

  • Discuss entry-level positions, wage information, advancement opportunities, and the various ways people enter the construction industry.

  • Back up stories with facts.

  • Show enthusiasm for your work.

Make sure your classroom presentation lasts between 45-60 minutes.

what Materials should I have?

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Career

Pathway

Handouts

Business

Cards

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Branded

Promotional

Materials

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technical requirements​

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Bring your laptop or tablet, and a backup of your presentation on a USB drive. Plan to discuss other AV needs with your host, such as a projector or display screen and how to connect with them, an adapter for different display connections, and a speaker for audio.

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Consider incorporating:

  • Hands-on mini-activities that demonstrate a construction skill

  • A short quiz for students to discover their construction path

  • Before/after images of projects your company completed

  • Virtual reality experiences if available

  • Mini design challenges related to your field

TRAINING PROVIDER VISIT

GUIDELINES for a Training Provider Visit: Planning a Tour

agenda

Introduction (15 mins)

  • Overview of your training program.

  • Safety briefing.

  • Outline of the tour.

Facility Tour (30-45 mins)

  • Show training spaces and equipment.

  • Explain the progression of skill development.

  • Highlight key learning areas.

Demonstration Activities (30-45 mins)

  • Show current trainees/apprentices in action.

  • Explain the learning process.

  • Showcase projects in progress.

Interactive Component (30 mins)

  • Allow students to try simplified versions of training activities.

  • Supervised hands-on experiences with tools or materials.

  • Small group rotations through different stations.

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Career Pathway Information (15 mins)

  • Application process for programs.

  • Costs and financial aid options.

  • Timeline from training to employment.

Q&A Session (15 mins)

  • Application process for programs.

  • Costs and financial aid options.

  • Timeline from training to employment.

Planning​

​

  • Create an internal planning group to coordinate the visit.

  • Reserve a 2-3 hour time slot for the tour and activities.

  • Prepare your facility for student visitors: 

    • Mark parking areas and entrances clearly

    • Ensure pathways are clear and hazard-free

    • Set up demonstration areas

    • Prepare any hands-on activities

  • Designate a welcoming area for student arrival

  • Consider providing light refreshments or water

Presentation tips​

​​

  • Keep groups small (20 or fewer) for better engagement.

  • Involve current trainees/apprentices in the tour and demonstrations.

  • Highlight success stories of program graduates.

  • Provide take-home materials with program details.

  • Showcase the technology used in modern construction training.

  • Demonstrate the connection between training and real-world applications.

JOB SITE VISIT

GUIDELINES for jOB SITE EXPERIENCES

agenda

Welcome and Safety Briefing (15 mins)

  • Distribution of PPE.

  • Clear explanation of safety rules.

  • Overview of what students will see.

Site Tour (60-90 mins)

  • Multiple stopping points to observe different trades.

  • Explanations of the current phase of construction.

  • Opportunities to see various equipment in use.

Trade Professional Conversations (30 mins)

  • Small group discussions with workers from different trades.

  • Explanations of career paths and daily responsibilities.

  • Q&A with professionals.

Project Management Perspective (15 mins)

  • Overview of how projects are planned and coordinated.

  • Explanation of timelines and sequencing.

  • Insight into the various roles that keep a project moving.

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Wrap-up and Q&A (15 mins)

  • Reflection on what was observed.

  • Information on next steps for interested students.

  • Distribution of career information.

Planning​

​

  • Select an appropriate site that demonstrates various aspects of construction.

  • Conduct a thorough safety assessment before confirming the site for student visits.

  • Create designated safe viewing areas for students.

  • Identify key stopping points that showcase different trades and aspects of construction.

  • Prepare site staff about visit objectives and their role in speaking with students.

  • Develop a clear route through the site that minimizes hazards.

Reserve 2-3 hours for the complete experience.

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Safety considerations​

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  • Provide appropriate PPE for all students and chaperones.

  • Clearly mark safe pathways through the job site.

  • Ensure adequate supervision (recommended ratio of 1 industry professional to 5 students).

  • Verify insurance coverage for hosting student visitors.

  • Conduct a pre-visit safety inspection on the day of the tour.

  • Have a contingency plan for weather or unexpected site conditions.

  • Brief all site workers about the visit to ensure safe operations.

Presentation Tips

After each experience​

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  • Thank your own staff for their participation

  • Share photos with the program coordinator

  • Use social media to showcase your participation

  • Continue communication with interested students and schools

  • Evaluate what worked well and what could be improved

  • Complete the employer feedback survey to help improve future program

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© 2024 West Michigan Works!

West Michigan Works! is a division of ACSET, an equal opportunity employer/program and a proud partner of the American Job Center network. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. West Michigan Works! is supported by state and federal funds; more details at westmiworks.org/about/.

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