🧱🚧🏗️ BCS students joined more than 500 students from 14 Western North Carolina school districts during WNC Construction Career Day, held at the Smoky Mountain Event Center and presented by Vannoy Construction.
Part career fair, part hands-on workshop, the event gave students an up-close look at the wide world of construction through direct interaction with the people and tools that build our communities. Students operated heavy equipment, testing their skills in carpentry and welding, and learning about stackable credentials, salaries, and training options available across the construction industry. They explored booths staffed by employers in HVAC, surveying, masonry, landscaping, steel fabrication, and more. They also spoke with representatives from community colleges, universities, and military branches.
“I really liked the welding,” said Logan, an A.C. Reynolds High School sophomore. “Anything hands-on is more my style.”
Construction Career Day exemplified the power of collaboration between Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, business and industry, postsecondary institutions, and workforce development agencies, giving students a clear look at pathways from classroom to career.
“I like how the businesses are promoting themselves,” added Reynolds High junior Damar. “It’s fun to see companies that really want to show you what’s out there, and the free stuff doesn’t hurt either.”
The event spotlighted emerging local programs like the masonry class at Reynolds, led by CTE teacher Robbie Davis. Still getting off the ground, the program already has students laying brick walls and connecting with employers.
“It’s a great kickoff for these kids,” Davis said. “Some of them are already being recruited for summer jobs. And events like this show them that these aren’t just school projects. This is a career.”