CAWP News Issue 4-09
Students Tour Two Area Projects as Part of CAWP Construction Career Academy
With CAWP’s support, 22 students toured two local highway projects to learn about careers in construction. These field trips, open to 10th and 11th grade students, were part of the CAWP Construction Career Academy, hosted by the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center.
Students visited the Mon/Fayette Expressway, Uniontown to Brownsville Phase II, on Friday, July 24, 2009. John Hetrick, Project Manager of the Mon/Fayette Expressway, discussed the project with the students before taking them on a tour to see the job first-hand. While at the jobsite, students viewed earthwork, bridge building, and concrete operation. Also as part of the field trip, they were given a hard hat and a safety vest.
The previous week, the students also had a chance to visit the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s New Stanton Milepost 67 to 74 project. Operations on the project were explained by Scott Stonecheck, PE, Moretrench American Corporation’s Area Manager and member of the CAWP Education Committee. While at the jobsite, students learned about the phases of retaining wall construction. After a tour of the Turnpike project, the students visited the Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship site, near New Alexandria, where they learned about the skills needed to be a heavy equipment operator. Led by instructors, they had the opportunity to operate various pieces of equipment, including a crane, dozer, backhoe, and skid loader.
The four-week Construction Career Academy program was sponsored by CAWP and hosted by the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center. The Construction Career Academy helped students gain valuable work experience, improve math skills, and promoted careers in construction. In addition to these field trips, students attending the Construction Career Academy gained valuable insight from industry professionals.
The Construction Academy represents CAWP’s ongoing efforts in workforce development.