HONOLULU (Island News) — Hawaii Construction Career Days is a two-day event at Aloha Stadium offering students opportunities to explore careers in construction, trades, engineering, architecture and STEM-related professions.
The event was held on Thursday, Sept. 19 for middle schools and will be on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 for high schools. There are various interactive exhibits and event stations where students can engage in hands-on activities, meet industry professionals and gain insights about these fields.
Before entering, students are debriefed on important safety and health hazards. Students and chaperones receive a Construction Career Day bag which includes personal protective equipment such as a hard hat, eye protection and ear plugs. This immersive experience is designed to help inspire students by providing practical exposure to real-world career opportunities.
The 25 exhibitors include heavy equipment companies who allowed students to operate cement mixers, cranes, backhoe, excavator and scissor lifts while being supervised. Professionals like carpenters, masons, plumbers, laborers, operators, sheet metal fabricators, roofers and unions were among the trade exhibitors.
“I got really scared at first when I started to move [the machinery] but then when I started getting used to it and following the guy’s instructions, it became fun.” said Delilah Maria DeGuzman, Kalakaua Middle School 8th grade student.
There are over 1,500 students from 26 Oahu schools and youth organizations attending this year. The event is held every other year on Oahu and Kauai, and alternates between the Big Island and Maui during other years.
“I don’t think they were aware what all you folks brought that they could learn and see there are other things that we could operate – the lifts, the steamroller, the CATs, all of that. So it really exposed them to other types of things than what they might be used to,” said Jacy Cunningham, Vice Principal of Kalakaua Middle School.
The two-day event includes sponsors from the Hawaii State Department of Education, Hawaii Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration – Hawaii Division, Hawaii Construction Career Days, private companies and trade union and apprenticeship programs.
