Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 3, 2018 – As the generation of baby boomers enters retirement age, as high schools push their students towards obtaining a four-year college degree, and a national economy bounces back at the speed of a freight train, a perfect storm has brewed into a labor shortage nightmare for the professional skilled trades across America. However, the industries may start seeing a break in the storm as they’ve taken matters into their own hands. The corporate world has begun investing in their own futures by participating in numerous endeavors such as community career fairs, apprenticeships, internships, college recruitment expos, job shadowing, and other similar career exploration events.

On a local level, the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Western Michigan Chapter (ABC/WMC) sponsors two middle school construction summer camps at Grand Rapids Community College. This year ABC/WMC has asked CD Barnes Construction to host a half-day jobsite tour for the students. On Wednesday, August 8th from about 9 AM to 10:30 AM CD Barnes Construction will have 15 middle school students tour their Legacies Assisted Living project located at 9031 N Rodgers Drive SE in Caledonia. Not only will the students get to see what an active commercial construction project looks like, but they’ll also have the opportunity to talk to individual professional tradespeople about what a typical work day entails for them and what kind of skills, education and training is required for their job. Following a demonstration provided by the framing, electrical, and plumbing contractors, the middle schoolers will get to take part in some hands-on activities.