Providing a Glimpse of Industry Career Paths

Component manufacturers had a unique opportunity to invite a small group of students and their instructors to an afternoon on the BCMC show floor this year. 

Justin Richardson of Richco Structures in Sheboygan, Wisconsin saw Student Day as a chance to further his partnership with Greg Gritt, a tech ed teacher at Plymouth High School in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Greg and four students joined Justin for an experience that opened eyes to everything our industry can offer young people. “The students really did enjoy it!” said Greg in a post-show email to Justin. “They were overwhelmed with all that goes into the truss business. Thanks for your in-depth description of the processes that are included with your business. We all came away knowing a lot more and respecting the jobs we were exposed to.”

Jason Langreck of Automated Products in Marshfield, Wisconsin, also reached out to instructors he has been working with at Northcentral Technical College (NTC) in Wausau, which resulted in Travis Severson and Mike Block bringing eight students, including Sam Skic and Caleb Jeppesen, from Wausau to Milwaukee, a three-hour trek for the group. The drive seemed worth it as the group spent a full afternoon on the show floor getting what Travis described as a “glimpse into the truss manufacturing world.” 

“I really enjoyed the experience and thought it was a great opportunity to learn about that aspect of building,” says Sam. “Getting to meet people in industry was also great!” Caleb agrees, “I really enjoyed the visit and being able to walk around and see so many machines in operation that we wouldn’t have been able to see without multiple facility tours.” Caleb adds that “seeing what is available in the field” gave him an “understanding of what I could potentially being doing for a career in my future” and the experience “really spiked my interest in the manufacturing side of building!”

The students’ enthusiasm was echoed by their instructors. “Opportunities like the show are a fantastic way to get our students a real world example of how things work in the construction industry,” says Mike. “Being in the construction industry myself for many years, it is very interesting to see firsthand how this industry continues to offer greater opportunity for builders as well as students interested in a construction or design/engineering field. Thanks again!” 

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