Salena Durrell
Build California – By the Numbers
“As someonewho hasworked hands-on in the trades and who is really passionate about educating and spreading theword about blue collar career choices, especially to the youth, Iwas interested in Build California’sAmbassador programwhen they reached out. Since then, it has just been an amazing ride.” – Salena Durrell, Tradeswomen Inc.
construction workforce solutions to become a Build California Ambassador about a year-and-a-half ago. “Our industry is currently lacking in enough skilled and experienced workers,” he commented. “So, it’s really encouraging when you get out there and people are interested and following up after we have visits to schools and conversations on these panel discus- sions (about workforce issues). I’ve
found a lot of people I speak with are intrigued by what we build and the different technologies that we now have in construction. Others are intrigued by the kind of money they can make in a construction career.” Simmons said his message to stu-
dents and young people is simple: “There are definitely a lot of oppor- tunities in the construction industry. College is a great path, but it doesn’t
The success of Build California’s efforts to date is reflected in the numbers. As of March 31, 2023, since its launch in September 2019, the program has educated and introduced career pathways to more than 26,845 12- to 24-year- olds through its participation and outreach at career fairs, industry events, school events, classroom presentation and its two-year old e-cademy. It has garnered over 44.4 million views and impressions across its social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, Face- book, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Brad Simmons
fit everybody. What Build California is trying to do is create more visibility and opportunity for people who are coming out of high school and even college and who don’t know about all the career possibilities in construction.” He has participated in a variety of
outreach events as Ambassador, from speaking to high school students in the welding and construction programs at Eden Area ROP in Hayward, to partic-
CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR JULY/AUGUST 2023
9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
