CIS to Host Craft Skills Workshop for Teen Girls
CIS will host local 8th grade girls this fall in a Power UP Workshop at the CIS Training Center in Carrollton, Ga. “The daylong workshop, set for September 21, 2018, will allow the students to see and participate in demonstrations of various craft skills to open their eyes to the career opportunities in construction,” says Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS.
Power UP Inc. is a non-profit youth organization, founded by Dr. Mittie Cannon, who serves as its Executive Director. Cannon is a workforce development leader with Wood, a project, engineering and technical services contractor serving energy and industrial markets.
As a PhD and certified welder, Cannon is a testimony to the vision of Power UP to engage young girls, along with their mothers, in the exploration of skill-based careers in construction. Power UP has been at the forefront of educating young talent, creating partnerships at all levels, and removing barriers to entry in this industry. The goal is to develop a diversified and stronger workforce for the construction industry.
“Students will have a chance to operate a CM Labs crane simulator at CIS, and practice hands-on rigging tasks,” says Dickinson. “Industry professionals, including a female executive from a local electrical supplier, will share how they do their jobs, why they love it, and what’s rewarding about the work.”
Dickinson says the goal is to bring back the excitement of craft skills. “We’re helping people understand how valuable skills professions really are,” she adds. The day’s activities will also include demonstrations on personal protection equipment, hand signaling, and knot-tying.
Power UP is a collaborative effort born out of the recognition that there has been a systemic failure to educate young talented women and encourage them to become engaged in STEM fields in general, but specifically within the construction industry. Careers in the construction and skill-based industries are not only exciting and interesting, but also lucrative when held by individuals with the right the skill sets, industry knowledge, and training. Power UP, Inc. is committed to assisting young women in obtaining these skills.
“We have supported Power UP for a couple of years,” explains Dickinson, who was part of a panel of speakers for a Power UP workshop hosted by the Birmingham, Ala., Workforce Development Office. She’d like to see CIS host the event annually. “This year’s event will give us a whole day to work with girls in small groups of 20 at a time and give them in-depth information about various skilled crafts.”
She says the program targets 8th-grade girls because they’ll be choosing their high-school curriculum soon. Participants must be in the 8th grade as of September 2018. Applications are available at www.poweruploud.org, and requires parental or guardian approval to take part.
Power UP works closely with educators and families to open new opportunities for all concerned. “CIS and Power UP are planning long-term futures. Investing in the workforce of tomorrow is the right thing to do and a solid business decision,” says Dickinson.
