On March 17th and 18th 2010, the School of Career Education hosted the fourth annual Juneau Construction Academy Apprenticeship Fair. The event showcases opportunities for high quality jobs in the union trades and industry for those seeking an alternative to a four year degree. Representatives from eight different unions and faculty from UAS Career Education were on hand to speak to nearly 1,000 high school and middle school students as well as the general public.

Each of the representatives brought some type of hands on display that really helped to engage the students and show them the nuts and bolts of their specific trade. The Teamsters Local 959 talked to students about the trucking industry. The Operating Engineers 302 brought a heavy equipment simulator that gave students the chance to try their hand at digging a hole and loading a dump truck with an excavator. The Sheet Metal Workers Local 23 showed students how to use a box break and a representative from the IBEW Local 1547 gave a lesson in how electricity works. Students really enjoyed taking a stab at drywall finishing with the representative from the Painters Local 1959. The Plumbers/Pipefitters Local 262 demonstrated how to cut and solder copper pipe while the Carpenters Local 2247 had students pounding nails and the Ironworkers 751/Piledrivers 2520 demonstrated welding. Career Education faculty were also there to promote the various A.A.S, Occupational Endorsement and Certificate programs in Automotive Technology and Construction Technology.

The Juneau Construction Academy Apprenticeship Fair is presented by the Alaska Works Partnership, Alaska Apprenticeship and Training Coo rdinators Association with assistance from the Construction Education Foundation and the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Thanks to all those who made this event a success. Special thanks to Ed Flanagan of the Alaska Works Partnership for organizing this event. Thanks as well to the union representatives and UAS faculty who did a fantastic job capturing the attention of these young people and encouraging them to think about their futures. We’d also like to thank the school teachers and aids who took the time to bring their students.