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 classic tools.
In the Construction Zone, students can talk with people who work at some of Portland’s leading architecture and design firms, such as Oh planning+design, one of our Platinum sponsors.
See our full list of Exhibitors | Printable Design & Construction 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), OEG, Performance Contracting, and CBRE Heery. Many of these firms are also involved with one of our other exhibitors, the ACE Mentor Program, a 12-week, in-depth mentorship program for Portland metro-area students interested in the industry.
Students can learn about remodeling and residential construction from the Professional Remodelers Organization, a Platinum Sponsor. They 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 and the Northwest College of Construction.
Several leading unions will be there as well, including Operating Engineers Local 701, a Platinum Sponsor, and the Laborers Training Trust of the Local 737. That’s a great way to learn about jobs and career paths.
Students can meet Cherry City Electric and JE Dunn, two of our new sponsors that are part of Portland’s growth. If design and architecture are your thing, you’ll find plenty to talk about with representatives of Bassetti Architects and Mahlum Architects.
Students can further explore educational paths to great engineering jobs. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers will also be at the Expo, as well as many other organizations that can give students the inside scoop.
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.
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.
