Highlighting Top-Notch Careers in Construction

In March, the fourth PowerUP Workshop, held at Alabama Workforce Development in Birmingham, introduced teen girls to careers in construction. “A smaller group, focused on girls who are keen to launch a construction career, and their mothers or guardians, participated,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS. “The students were very engaged and interested in construction careers. Each time we participate in a PowerUp event, we realize the interest is growing.” CIS also hosted a PowerUp Rigging Workshop for girls earlier in the year.

Dr. Mittie Cannon, PowerUp founder and leader of multiple Workforce Development initiatives, was recently interviewed about the career exploration program by Fox Business News. https://youtu.be/3G1OSV9mtuY

Cannon talked about the partnerships her organization has with groups such as chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors, and provided information on how local businesses can host construction career events. Among the footage included in the segment was that of a CIS-hosted PowerUp workshop.

CIS’s primary focus is training and certification for the crane and rigging industry. The company uses new technologies and software, such as crane simulators and iReportSource documentation, to help employers reduce knowledge gaps in their workforce. “If we can show young people—girls included—that construction and craft trades are top-notch career fields, we serve a healthy and growing industry in a positive way,” said Dickinson.