2022 Construction Career Academy

BCA hosted 53 students from nine area high schools and career centers over two days earlier this spring for the 2022 Construction Career Academy (CCA) at Ivy Tech. Their teachers and guidance counselors hand-picked these junior and senior students for enrollment. One of the program’s main objectives is to help bridge the gap from the students’ classrooms to our members’ job sites. A testament to the Academy’s success with this objective, several students have been hired due to this program.

 Further testament to the success of CCA are the notes of appreciation BCA receives from school administrators, such as this one: 

 "Thank you for taking time to invest in our students. The group that we sent all came back very excited about the two-day opportunity. We are working hard at New Haven High School to help our students see all career pathways available to them, and opportunities like this are so important for students to really see and experience the construction and manufacturing trades. Please share our gratitude will all of the men and women who were a part of your workshop those two days."

Jana S. Gepfert
Graduation Pathways Coach/ Guidance Counselor at New Haven High School 

Sincere appreciation is expressed to BCA Academy Chair Mark Englert of Mill Supplies for his leadership and donations of the tools awarded in connection with the Most Likely to Be Hired Awards program. Appreciation is also expressed to Milwaukee Tools for donating the dozens of pizzas necessary to feed this big group for two days. A great contributor to the quality of the Academy is Nick Goodnight, Ph.D., and Ivy Tech Community College, who allow BCA to take over their construction labs while their students are on spring break. Thank you to these individuals and organizations.

BCA expresses wholehearted appreciation to the following 2022 presenters: CCA was made possible, in large part, by the several members who donated numerous hours to prepare for and provide the presentations on the following:

• Industry Overview & General Contractor’s Role
  Michael Kinder & Sons - Zach Kessie
• Asphalt
  API Construction Corp. – Aaron Lybarger
  Brooks Construction – Steve Christlieb
  
• Carpentry
  Weigand Construction – Jade Painter
  
• Cement Finisher
  Graber & Graber - Braden Groves
  
• Electrician
  L-A Electric – Scott Arnold
  
• Excavation
  Star Excavating – John Hoffman
  
• Fire Protection
  VFP Fire Systems – Matt Landin
  
• Flooring
  United Flooring, Inc. – Andrew Sanders
  
• Masonry
  FCI Construction – Nick Alwine
  
• Plumbing
  Shambaugh & Son – Joe Floyd
  
• Project Manager
  CME Corporation – Caleb Lloyd
  
• Steel Erection
  LeMaster Steel Erectors - Dan Gustafson

View the Construction Career Academy Overview for more detailed information on the Academy. 

The Workforce Recruitment Committee is currently considering expanding this program to reach more students as part of the Influence 1000 initiative in the Association’s 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. Our goal is to reach at least 1000 individuals annually, students and underemployed adults, with information that may influence them to positively consider a great career in the exciting world of the commercial construction industry.

Are You Currently Recruiting?

Our 2022 CCA students have provided their email addresses to receive information from BCA members about possible job openings for entry-level employees. This Excel file is available to members upon request by emailing [email protected].