Planning to visit the Construction Zone at the NW Youth Careers Expo? Prepare for L-O-U-D.  The Construction Zone is a big, energetic place where students can learn about careers and apprenticeships while also trying out everything from 3D printers and virtual painting to hula hoops.

In the Construction Zone, students can talk with people who work at some of Portland’s leading planning and design firms, such as Oh Planning+Design, a Platinum Sponsor.

See our full list of Exhibitors | Printable Construction & Architecture Sector Flyer

Students also can mingle with employees of the city’s top construction & development firms. Standouts in the zone include Hoffman Construction, Skanska, Howard S. Wright, Fortis Construction, Emerick Construction, Walsh Construction, Associated General Contractors (Oregon Columbia Chapter), On Electric Group, Performance Contracting, and the Professional Remodelers Association. (Many of these firms are involved with the ACE Mentor Program, a 12-week, in-depth mentorship program for Portland metro-area students interested in exploring careers in architecture, construction and engineering. ACE will have a booth, too.)

Students can learn how to land a paid apprenticeship, set up a job shadow, and explore other pathways into the skilled trades. Our exhibitors – more than three dozen of them — include the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute, the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center, the Northwest College of Construction, the Sheet Metal Institute and Portland Community College.

Two leading unions, both Platinum sponsors, will be there as well – Operating Engineers Local 701 and Laborers International Union of North America Local 737.

If design and architecture are your thing, you’ll find plenty to talk about with representatives of Heery International, Bassetti Architects and Mahlum Architects.

Students can further explore educational paths to great engineering jobs. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers will be at the Expo.

Below is a photo gallery from last year’s Construction Zone. We’ll be adding more details about exhibitors as we receive them. (Exhibitors may contact us here if you have additional information to share with students and educators prior to the Expo.)

So far, nearly 7,000 students and 190+ exhibitors have registered for the Expo. Check out our Exhibitor page for additional printable flyers in technology, manufacturing, construction and creative careers. You can also visit our Expo HQ.

TEACHERS: BROWSE ALL EXPO HANDOUTS AND RESOURCES HERE

The nonprofit Portland Workforce Alliance works year-round with businesses in every sector to provide career-learning opportunities for high school students. Research shows that students who have the opportunity to learn about careers while they are in high school are more likely to graduate, continue their education and find satisfying careers. To learn more, browse our website.