Showcase Events are produced in partnership with schools and educators to bring industry professionals into shop classes. These events provide a fantastic opportunity for students to pitch their design-build process and demonstrate their skills.
On February 13th the Construction Ready team held a showcase event with the students of Gulf Islands Secondary School’s TASK (Trades Awareness Skills and Knowledge) Class. 13 students and 5 employers attended giving the students a chance to discuss the projects they are working on and the skills and knowledge they have gained in the process.
Students expressed that the skills and knowledge they learn in the shop class translate, not only, into many different trades, but all careers and life. Evur McDonough, a TASK student, says the class “provides a lot of universal skills and methodology for the rest of the trades”. Evur is currently employed for a construction company as a labourer and believes that after completing the program, he’ll be more useful to his contractor because he’ll have more knowledge and more skills that are applicable to the site.
When the employers asked about the building process for the sheds the class is currently constructing, the students were quick to answer. They detailed the measurements and calculations used in the design process and the lessons they learned from building. Some of the employers even jumped in to help teach and explain how the methods they used are useful on the job sites.
When asked about the benefits of having a showcase event for shop classes, Dalton Reid of Snazzy Construction said, “it’s great to see what kids are doing in our communities. I think it gives them some confidence to see employers interested in what they’re doing.”
The event wrapped up with a casual discussion about the skills and knowledge the students have gained, future career plans and a delicious pizza lunch.
Thank you to the teachers, students and industry partners for being a part of this great experience!
