EDWARDS Ill. – More than 400 local high school students learned how they could “build their future” Friday in Edwards…
It was the third annual Skills USA Construction Pathways Career Experience — at the Caterpillar Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center.
According to one of the event organizers, Eric Hill – this event houses students from more than 20 schools across Central Illinois and showcases possible career fields, available for students right after graduation.
“Today we’ve got 20 plus union contractors here and 17 unions represented. All of them are here and are excited to meet and interact with these high school students as they graduate and hopefully enter the union trade,” Hill said.
One of the students in attendance was Morton junior, Tessa Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald says she plans on attending college after graduating from high school — but is glad her peers have options like these — as not everyone’s path looks the same.
“It is extremely important I’d say because some people rely on this to get their jobs — which is just crazy — but I love it. Skill trades, the skills gap, they are closing the skills gap with this event. They are getting their jobs, they are going to these companies, it is just amazing to see these people get the jobs from this event,” Fitzgerald said.
Event organizers hope the event inspires more high school students to enter the work force.
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