More than 500 middle and high school students from LCPS attended the 3rd annual Tyson Brown Memorial’s Build My Future event. The event was organized by the Las Cruces Home Builders Association and was held at the Rawson Builders Supply lot, which accommodated a variety of over 50 skilled trade stations that included carpenters, electricians, homebuilders, HVAC technicians, machinists, mechanics, pipefitters, plumbers, physical plant workers, realtors, welders and more.
At Build My Future, students rolled up their sleeves to engage in hands-on training with professionals from many different skilled trades. This event is put on every year to open doors and inspire students to look into pursuing careers that may interest them in the skilled trades, and to change public perception and raise awareness about the construction industry that promotes a skilled workforce for the future.
“We have our department from the LCPS Physical Plant here showcasing our maintenance equipment and maintenance techniques,” said Mat Dynek Assistant Director of the LCPS physical plant department. “Everything from grounds to energy management, electricians; we have carpenters and painters all here showing the whole scope of work we do in our department.”
This year, the event featured a production line of workers who taught students how to build a house step-by-step. Another station included a shed building competition between teams of students. Across the way, students were learning how to pour concrete and smooth out the cement. Every station included an opportunity for students to learn a new skill that interested them.
Guest speakers from different companies in town were invited to speak to students and answer questions. A panel of women in construction were also in attendance to offer mentorship to female students interested in a career path in construction.
Nicole Black is in charge of the Las Cruces Home Builders Association and overseeing construction, she believes events likes Build My Future help to bridge a new generation of skilled workers.
“Being out here today gives students that opportunity to meet the employers here in Las Cruces. They can talk, learn about pay, and learn what steps it takes to get into certain skilled trade jobs,” Black said.
Last year, students in the career and technical education program at Organ Mountain High School worked with KT Homes to help build an education house on Mechem Avenue in Las Cruces. Black said students are in the early phases of construction building a second education house with a completion date set for April 2023.
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