Beneath the Hard Hat
C.D. Smith Company Blog

Students Explore Building Careers & Construction Apprenticeships

Date: May 2, 2023 12:22:53 PM | Author: Tracy Lisowe

Registered construction apprenticeships are proven, industry-driven, high-quality career pathways. They're opportunities for us to build and train construction talent in the skilled trades, but we love it even more when we get students involved early to benefit as future apprentices.

Advanced construction class of high school students received mentorship and hands-on experiences in the skilled trades from C.D. Smith & industry experts.

Senior Superintendent Dan Loehr and Virtual Architectural Designer Egor Shalamov recently helped bring awareness to opportunities in the trades by presenting to an advanced construction class at Moraine Park Technical College in West Bend. Dan's son, Austin, is a junior at Kewaskum High School and kicks off the first two hours of his school day attending the Advanced Construction Class, comprised of West Bend East, West Bend West and Kewaskum High School students. When the instructor, Robert Willmas, asked Dan if he wanted to speak to two of his classes, he took him up on his offer and looped in some of the C.D. Smith team as well.

Students working on a tiny house in an advanced construction class in Wisconsin

Willmas had been trying to teach the differences between residential and commercial construction, but was finding it difficult with space restrictions and limited materials for providing hands-on experiences that engaged students in active comparisons. Dan and Egor helped fill that gap in two ways.

1» Dan discussed the details of our six signatory trades, some of which he related to the construction of a tiny house project that the classes had been working on throughout the school year. Loehr also talked about the opportunities available, the need for skilled labor and why they should consider working in the trades.

Tiny house built by students in advanced construction class in Wisconsin

2» Egor showed timelapse videos, photo illustrations and brought a virtual reality (VR) headset so that students could experience a "live" commercial construction site. Shalamov spoke about utilizing technology for improving accuracy and efficiencies in the building process, using everything from laser scanning to drone flights to capture new data and perspectives - all of which, ultimately, benefit our customers.

Students exploring commercial construction jobsites wearing virtual reality headsets

Through virtual reality, the students got firsthand exposure to project stages, the construction process and skilled trades in action from a safe environment. In addition to our presentation and completing the 2023 tiny house by the end of the school year, Willmas hopes to coordinate a visit to a large commercial jobsite.

Demand for construction remains strong and school-to-work mentorships and business partnerships help transition students to apprenticeships. Registered Apprenticeships give students and career seekers the opportunity to earn and learn in highly-skilled, high-demand occupations.

Students running heavy equipment at an operating engineers training facility in Wisconsin

Distinguishing factors of Registered Apprenticeships include:

🏗 Industry-led, vetted and approved
💰 Paid jobs with progressive wages
👷‍♂️ On-the-job training/mentorship
👨‍🏫 Supplemental classroom education
👐 DEIA | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility
👷‍♀️ Quality and safety
⭐ Nationally-recognized credentials
 
Students running heavy equipment simulator at an operating engineers training facility in Wisconsin  
Senior Superintendent Loehr also attended the Wisconsin Operating Engineers' training facility in Coloma, Wisconsin for a four-hour annual event called 'Externship Day.' The Loehrs toured the site, attended presentations, did some simulator training and Austin even had the opportunity to run equipment in a practice area. 
Students running heavy equipment in virtual reality at an operating engineers training facility in Wisconsin 
Thank you to Dan, Egor and all of the skilled trades workers, construction leaders, teachers, advocates and business partners connecting with students to build awareness for opportunities in construction. Building our future starts with student involvement!

Date: May 2, 2023 | Author: Tracy Lisowe

«•» 

Follow C.D. Smith ON SOCIAL

#CDSmith #ThinkSafeWorkSafe

C.D. Smith Construction Management Design-Build General Contractor Preconstruction Commercial Construction Trades on FacebookC.D. Smith Construction Management Design-Build General Contractor Preconstruction Commercial Construction Trades on LinkedInC.D. Smith Construction Management Design-Build General Contractor Preconstruction Commercial Construction Trades on InstagramWebsite - Twitter - Icon-01C.D. Smith YouTube Videos Construction Management Design-Build General Contractor Preconstruction Commercial Skilled Trades

 

 

Contact Us Get in Touch

«•» 

IN THE NEWS

Advanced Construction High School Student Receives Scholarship for Construction Management Pursuit | Washington County Insider 01.21.2024

Austin Loehr Headshot for Receiving Construction Management Scholarship and CD Smith Apprenticeship with Superintendent Give Back

Austin Loehr, a senior at Kewaskum High School, is proving how early involvement in the skilled trades benefits students pursuing a career in construction. As a junior, Austin distinguished himself as one of five area teens selected for an advanced construction class at Moraine Park Technical College comprised of West Bend East, West Bend West and Kewaskum High School students.

🎓 As a senior, Austin's dedication was recently recognized with the prestigious $5,000 Don and Corrine Mlodzik Family Scholarship. He plans to use the scholarship for a degree in construction management at Fox Valley Technical College.

🏗️ Loehr's hands-on experience in construction is already accumulating, thanks to his work with C.D. Smith during high school. In addition to academic and extracurricular achievements, he's shown a commitment to community service through volunteering at Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) events with C.D. Smith Construction.

🌟 What sets Austin apart as the recipient of this scholarship is his genuine passion for giving back. When asked why he believed he was the best candidate, Austin emphasized his desire to use his education and career to help others achieve their goals and dreams. This resonated with the Mlodzik family, who believe in the importance of helping others reach their aspirations.

👷‍♂️👷‍♂️ Austin shares his commitment to service with his father, Senior Superintendent Dan Loehr. In a Beneath the Hard Hat® blog post from May 2023, Dan and Virtual Architectural Designer Egor Shalamov presented to Austin's advanced construction class at Moraine Park Technical College.

👏 The May 2023 blog post highlighted the industry-driven, high-quality nature of registered construction apprenticeships and the importance of involving students early. Austin's dedication to practical experience and educational initiatives exemplify the success of this approach.

🎉 As the demand for construction remains strong, mentorships and business partnerships play a crucial role in transitioning students into successful careers. As Austin embarks on his educational and career journey, we extend our congratulations and best wishes.

Thank you to the Loehr family for your dedication, community service and passion for the future of construction—truly paying it forward by giving back.


National Apprenticeship Week 2023 (Nov 13-19)

Celebrating the Future of the Construction Trades | C.D. Smith Construction 11.13.2023

C.D. Smith Construction values the efforts of all its employees, and during National Apprentice Week (November 13-19), we place special emphasis on recognizing those actively involved in learning and working within the construction industry. With over 40 apprentice workers collaborating with our seasoned professionals, we wholeheartedly applaud their dedication and strong work ethic. We are proud to highlight our 2023 youth apprentices and their commitment to the trades at a young age!

Caleb Krug, currently working on the NFDL School District project enjoys learning to read blue prints, tying rebar, pouring and puddling concrete. “I want to be an operator and getting the most experience I can will help me on that journey.”

Youth Apprentice Caleb Krug working with CD Smith Construction on North Fond du Lac School District project

Austin Loehr, is serving at Moraine Park constructing the AIR extension. “I appreciate the skilled tradesmen that I get to work alongside.”  Loehr gives credit to his father Sr. Superintendent, Dan Loehr as a mentor along with Superintendent Joe Kraus.  

Youth apprentice Austin Loehr with CD Smith Construction at Moraine Park AIR Center project with jobsite superintendents

Ayden Keuler, is working on the Hilbert High School addition and renovation. “I enjoy the people that I work with and I plan to continue in the trades after graduation.”

Youth apprentice Ayden Keuler working at Hilbert High School addition and renovation project with CD Smith Construction

In addition to our Youth Apprentice Program, we currently have 38 active trades apprentices in training in the field: 19 carpenters, 3 cement finishers, 3 ironworkers, 2 laborers, 8 masons and 3 operator apprentices!

C.D. Smith Apprentice Appreciation – Building a future in the Trades!

#NationalApprenticeshipWeek #apprenticeships #construction #skilledtrades #YouthApprenticeships #Wisconsin


Building the Future: Architecture & Construction Skilled Trades Youth Apprenticeships | Beneath the Hard Hat® Press & Blog 06.16.2023

 Youth Apprentice Caleb Building the Future in Construction Skilled Trades with CD Smith


Tiny house, big progress: West Bend, Kewaskum students' work advances on Habitat for Humanity tiny house | Washington County Daily News 02.16.2023

Article about Wisconsin students building tiny house in Advanced Construction Class

Externship Day with Wisconsin Operating Engineers |OE 139 Training Center

Recent Posts


 


Get in Touch

Corporate Headquarters
125 Camelot Drive
Fond du Lac, WI 54935

Milwaukee Office
8325 W. Tower Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53223

Madison Office
316 West Washington Avenue
Suite 900 
Madison, WI 53703

La Crosse Office
333 Front Street North
Suite 701 
La Crosse, WI 54601

Ready to build community and get connected with commercial construction expertise? Use the below form to submit questions or request information. We look forward to learning more and discovering how we can make YOUR PROJECT. OUR PRIORITY.®.