ALACHUA, FLA., Oct. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The wait is over. Earlier this year, the Build Your Future (BYF) initiative announced October 2013 as Careers in Construction Month (CICM). Now, with CICM in full swing and construction career events planned across the country, participation and engagement are at an all-time high. In Florida, the build-up to CICM was highlighted by Governor Rick Scott officially proclaiming October 2013 to be Careers in Construction Month on Sept. 27. Throughout the month, BYF will be actively engaging students, providing resources and promoting events that highlight the rewarding and high-demand careers available in the industry.
In Millen, Ga., BYF has partnered with Robins & Morton (R &M) and CARBO Ceramics to sponsor several CICM events and activities in Jenkins County Public Schools throughout the month. At the elementary level, students K-5 will participate in an Art contest where they will produce art of either their favorite building or of someone who builds America. Middle school students will participate in an Essay Contest, submitting essays on topics related to the construction field or their career plans. At Jenkins County High School, students will compete in a Math Contest, solving-real world math problems encountered in the construction industry every day. In addition, students in the Welding and Agricultural Mechanics programs will learn about construction careers first-hand through "Trade Craft Visits" with R &M craft professionals throughout the month.
On Oct. 30, BYF will co-host the third annual Dallas-Fort Worth Construction Career Day in Irving, Texas. The event, sponsored by TEXO and the American Subcontractors Association, is also hosted by the Construction Education Foundation of North Texas and North Lake College. The Career Day will feature indoor and outdoor exhibits and equipment demonstrations, along with a special guest appearance from NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver David Starr, who will speak to the students about how his path to a successful career began with his enrollment in a high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
In addition to events, NCCER and BYF will be releasing a series of videos throughout the month to promote the rewarding career opportunities in construction. The first two videos will highlight the talented CTE students who participated in the 2013 SkillsUSA Masonry and Carpentry Competitions. On Oct. 1, NCCER released Inside the 2013 Masonry Competition and will release a parallel video for the Carpentry Competition on Oct. 14. On Oct. 9, BYF will release its Exciting Careers in Construction video, featuring instructors, SkillsUSA student competitors and industry representatives giving first-hand insight on the many career paths available in construction.
As part of the expansion of CICM, BYF is also promoting events and resources to help transitioning military members find careers in construction that fit their skills sets. BYF recently released its Military to Construction: A Strong Fit video, featuring testimonials from former military members who have found success as construction professionals. Veterans can also download BYF's Military Crosswalk, which is used to identify how Military Occupational Skill (MOS) codes align with NCCER's industry-recognized, portable credentials.
BYF provides a number of online resources for organizations interested in getting involved in Careers in Construction Month at byf.org/resources, including a best practices guide, craft profession posters, flyers and brochures. Participants can also register events on BYF's website, where they are profiled as an official part of Careers in Construction Month for added publicity.
For more information about Careers in Construction Month or BYF, visit byf.org. Visit facebook.com/BYFcampaign and follow @BuildYourFuture on Twitter for the latest news and updates on BYF activities and events.
About Build Your Future – The goal of the Build Your Future (BYF) initiative is to lead individuals to opportunities for career placement, advanced education and training and ultimately long-term rewarding careers in the construction industry. BYF is led by NCCER and is part of the Choose Construction Initiative. For more information, visit www.byf.org.