Students learn valuable skills while helping the community in Building Trades Summer Camp
The Upper Peninsula Construction Council’s summer camp for high school students isn’t just teaching kids valuable construction skills – it’s also improving the local community through a series of service projects.
The 24 students participating in this year’s Building Trades Summer Camp in Iron Mountain are currently working on their fourth service project: Constructing a 320-square-foot elevated deck at the VFW hall under the direction of Carpenters & Millwrights Local 1510. Work on the deck began this week and will wrap up Monday, Aug. 12.
The first week of the camp, students worked with Laborers 1329 and Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Local 2 to build new concrete walkways at St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church. Students later worked with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades to complete community service projects involving painting and staining at The Cure, a teeneage counseling service, and the VFW.
“We added service projects to the program this year to give students the opportunity for real-world training while giving back to their community,” said UPCC Executive Director Mike Smith. “And importantly, the projects also give students something they can take pride in every time they pass by in the future. That’s a big part of being in the trades – seeing the tangible results of our work and being able to show our families and friends.”
Now in its third year, Building Trades Summer Camp gives high school students a six-week introduction to construction activities. Students are paid $12 an hour for the duration of the camp, mirroring the earn-while-you-learn structure of union apprenticeships.
Every applicant participates in resume writing and interview skills workshops provided by Michigan Works. After the workshops are completed, applicants are interviewed and finalists selected. Once hired, students participate in a financial literacy workshop as well as a safety workshop with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration before stepping onto the construction site.
All students participate in Fieldtrip Fridays in partnership with MiSTEM teacher externships visiting local industries in the Iron Mountain area. This year we will visit Billerud Qinessec, LP Sagola, Iron Mountain Kingsford Waste Water Treatment Plant, Systems Control, Boss Snowplow, and Gundlach Champion & MJ Electric to tour the Pine Mountain Ski Jump.
The camp is held in a different location in the U.P. each year, giving students from different geographical areas access to the opportunity. It was held in Gladstone in 2022, and Negaunee in 2023.
The camp is organized in partnership with UP Michigan Works, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD, Dickinson-Iron ISD, Marquette-Alger RESA, the Workforce Development Institute, and representatives from the UPCC’s signatory union contractors and trades.
Trades participating in the camp include International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 1011; Operating Engineers Local 324; Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 2; UA Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Local 111; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 906; Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 7; Ironworkers Local 8; Boilermakers Local 169; Laborers' Union Local 1329; and Carpenters and Millwrights Local 1510.
