In an effort to help support teachers in this very challenging and overwhelming school year, GTC has created a video resource below for teachers, counselors and school faculty. The video is about 14 minutes long but is meant to be interactive. It not only introduces students to the pathways and possibilities within the construction industry but encourages them to think about different possibilities regarding their future. Asking different questions to help consider what they would like to do, where they would like to be and what they need to do to get there.
This presentation is not meant to replace any specific curriculum but is simply a tool to be used however you would like. Feel free to expound upon the presentation by asking students more questions, create discussion or creating assignments related to the content or simply as just a video to get students thinking. We have included a few examples of discussion or assignments below, but feel free to use this resource in any way that helps. If there are any questions or challenges with the video, please feel free to reach out to our Director of Training and Outreach, Amy Powell at apowell@gtc1.net
We like to thank all of our teachers and educators. We understand this year may be quite challenging but want you to know that your hard work, passion and dedication are recognized and appreciated.
Discussion and Assignment Ideas and Resources:
Health, Safety and Wellbeing:
Did you know that buildings can have a direct impact on people’s health? What are some things that might make a building “healthy” or “sick” that could impact people’s health?
Dig into IWBI (International WELL Building Institute). https://www.wellcertified.com/
Resource video: What is WELL?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ivwp6Va_c&t=88s
There are videos and resources about items that improve the health of people working inside of the buildings. There are different areas to explore such as light, air, water, nutrition, exercise and more. This can give the students the opportunity to “play doctor” on a building and find ways to improve the way we work. Whether they are interested in engineering, construction, medical or science, this assignment can help them explore these different options.
Build Your Own Future
Check out the “trade cards” and “choose your career path” at www.byf.org. This site includes resources and videos on pathways, salaries, educational requirements and labor demand. It is our #1 choice as a resource for the construction industry. If you DID choose a career in construction, which role would you pick and why?
Have students fill out a reflection worksheet on what their future will look like (how much money they want to make, where they want to live, what they want to live in and what their hobbies will be). This can help them realize how much money they may need to make and what career opportunities are available in the different regions they want to live in. Check out indeed (https://www.indeed.com/) to see what is available in those areas and what the average salary is). Just for fun…they can go onto an auto manufacturers web-site and “build their own car”…it will give them an idea of how much they will have to pay monthly for that car.
Activity Sheets and Handouts
This worksheet will help high school and middle school students imagine their future. This can be expanded to include cost of your lifestyle where students can research and determine how much they will have to make in order to live their imagined lifestyle. At the minimum, it gets them thinking about what they would like to do and where they might want to be.
If you have any questions, challenges, or comments regarding this exercise, please feel free to reach out to our Director of Training and Outreach, Amy Powell at apowell@gtc1.net