Hawaii Construction Career Days is a nonprofit organization to provide Hawaii's youth with an insight into the career opportunities available in the multi-faceted construction industry.   The Educational Exhibits consisted of construction companies, engineering firms, government agencies, university institutions, and construction organizations.  There were many interactive displays that involved the students in fun and challenging games as well as exposing them to the different organizations involved in construction.

A few examplues in the exhibit area included:

The National Association of Women in Construction which provided the female students with an awareness of various opportunities that exist and the growing number of females involved in the construction industry.

Construction companies like Kiewit involved the students in a fun mini building block game and even received the names of students interested in a future employment opportunity.

The University of Hawaii's College of Engineering showcased their Mini Baja vehicle, concrete canoe and steel bridge.  This exposed students to the importance of engineering in the production of various objects and stimulated their interest in pursuing an engineering degree

In the Construction Trades area students observed demonstrations and participated in hands-on activities with 12 different trades which included floor layers, glaziers, electricians, carpenters, laborers, painters, masons, plumbers, sheet metal workers, roofers, tapers and elevator constructors.

This exposure to the many different skilled trades helped the students realize the importance of a high school diploma and how essential it is to prepare for the future.

Honolulu Community College was the perfect backdrop for the trades because of their Apprenticeship Training Program which provides related classroom instruction for persons who are apprenticing in the building and construction industry.

Hawaii's CCD event opened a lot of the students' eyes to the limitless possibilities that are out there for them.  The shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry is compounded since the baby boomers are retiring in increasing numbers and it is difficult to attract youths to the industry.

The Heavy Equipment area was truly a fun and exciting spot for the students. They gained a real hands-on experience with over 30 pieces of heavy equipment which included skid loaders, backhoes, boom trucks, excavators, dump trucks and arial lifts.  They were also able to operate a crane simulator used by the Operating Engineers, Local 3 in their training programs.

The equipment distributors and construction firms which donated the use of their equipment for the two-day event really helped expose the students to this industry.  The display of enthusiasm on their faces when they were on the equipment is worth all the effort that was put into this event. An interesting point that the operators stressed to the students was their attendance in school.   Many of the seasoned operators pointed ou the importance of having a good record of attendance when you are being selected for the any apprenticeship program.

To safely expose the students to all the activities, they each recieved a hard, safety goggles and earplugs to wear at the event.  This also indentified and allowed the groups to move smoothly throughout the three diffeent demonstration areas.