Clark Construction Brings Together High School Educators Across D.C. Region for Crafting Futures Event

Clark Construction hosted Crafting Futures event for high school educators in partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment. Educators learned about career paths in skilled trades, interacted with industry professionals, and toured job sites. The event aimed to address workforce shortages in the construction industry.

Wed October 23, 2024 - Northeast Edition
Clark Construction

Photo courtesy of Clark Construction

Crafting Futures panelists discuss career opportunities in the skilled trades.

Attendees received a behind-the-scenes tour of Clark’s 600 Fifth project site in downtown D.C., which is currently being repositioned to Class A office space.

On Oct. 16, Clark Construction Group hosted an event for high school educators entitled Crafting Futures.

Planned in partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), the event was an impactful step toward addressing the projected workforce shortage facing our nation's construction and infrastructure market, by helping career counselors, STEM teachers and internship and apprenticeship coordinators get smart about construction and gain a better understanding of the skilled trades and rewarding career paths in our industry.

During this region-wide event, Clark welcomed 80 local high school educators from schools throughout the District, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Fairfax County, Arlington County and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church to the District E event space adjacent to Capital One Arena.

Throughout the multifaceted event, Clark highlighted alternative pathways for young people to enter the workforce, gain valuable skills, and get on a path to self-sufficiency — without a college degree. The event also was designed to help the company establish a network of advocates in the school system and give them the tools to guide interested students toward in-demand careers in the skilled trades, growing the industry's future talent pipeline.

Crafting Futures' attendees heard from guest speakers including Clark Construction CEO Robby Moser, MSE President of Venues Jordan Silberman, and Associated Builders and Contractors CraftMasters Training Program Director Don Ellis, as well as panelists from First Choice Construction, Manganaro, and Archkey/Mona Electric Group, who shared perspectives on the respective fields and their own career journey. They also participated in an Educators Resource Expo with more than 20 local trade contractors and community and workforce organizations, as well as an active jobsite tour.

"Crafting Futures was an incredible opportunity to connect with employers in the construction field and explore the diverse career paths available for young people in the skilled trades," said Bridget Flaherty, an Out-of-School Program Manager with Worksource Montgomery and attendee of the event. "One of the highlights for me was touring a job site... It was a fantastic way to see firsthand the work being done and understand the skills needed in this dynamic field. I'm excited to continue building these connections and learning more about how we can support the next generation in discovering fulfilling careers."

During the behind-the-scenes tour of Clark's 600 Fifth project site in downtown D.C., which is currently being repositioned to Class A office space, attendees spoke with foremen from several key trades, including plumbing, mechanical, electric, steel and drywall, who shared insights about their roles on the project and personal journeys in construction. This helped connect participants to the real-world impact of skilled trades and provided a deeper understanding of the diverse career paths available in the industry.

Construction spending is expected to increase by over $1 trillion over the next decade, leading to a greater demand for a skilled workforce to support these opportunities. Significant federal investments, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS Act, are fueling the demand for skilled labor to help modernize the country's infrastructure, including roads, bridges and airports, and develop essential data and advanced manufacturing facilities.

Through events like Crafting Futures, Clark is working to ensure educators and new generations are informed of the vast opportunities and fulfilling careers available within the skilled trades and understand the tangible steps to building a career in the industry.

Participating local trade contractors and community and workforce organizations included: