STURGIS, S.D. – On Sept. 28, 41 high school students traveled to Rapid City for the opportunity to learn and connect with leading industry experts.
Promoted by Associated General Contractors of S.D. (AGC), this year’s construction career camp offered hands-on experience in heavy equipment, carpentry, concrete, surveying, HVAC/plumbing/electrical and virtual reality. The camp was made possible with cooperation from S.D. School of Mines and Technology and Western Dakota Technical College.
Before schooling is complete and students graduate, the need to explore possible career paths has been a key focus for individuals within CTE programs.
photo by Korbin Jensen
“It opened a bigger door to all of these similar trades,” Tadlee Opstedahl (12) said. “Instead of construction, there are other options, such as concrete, carpentry and HVAC.”
Although Opstedahl plans to focus on a future career in ranching, he plans to use construction knowledge to potentially build a side business.
Currently working with water and sewer lines as well as dirt work, Korbin Jensen (12), saw the camp as a way to gain insights.
“There are a lot of different opportunities that I learned about in the construction industry,” he said.
Jensen plans to become a welding and generator mechanic.
“There is going to be a lot more work in construction in the future, more opportunities. It may be hard work but it’s a living,” he said.
Kash Krogman (12) plans to attend Mitchell Tech to become a lineman. His goal is to fly helicopters for a lineman company while still participating in the PRCA.
Even though he is in his fourth year working with concrete, Krogman said the camp gave him many back up plans to consider.
Participants from Cyle Miller’s Machining III, Tate Dewey’s Welding and Marco Marolt’s Building Trades classes were bussed to the event.
photo by Cyle Miller
