Project Build MN is Pioneering Opportunities for the New Workforce

	Michelle Dreier

Submitted by Michelle Dreier, Director of Member Engagement & Government Affairs

Project Build MN was created to bring career exploration to job seekers and youth, seeking to rise above differences and create broad exposure to construction as a career. With a full-time executive director, the nonprofit participated in career fairs, hosted a speakers bureau, built an informative website - all supported by multiple trade associations. 

Project Build MN provides for multi-trade career exploration and support for construction career educators. Many do not understand the pathways into workforce of a small-business construction company. Bridges need to be built to community-based organizations that look to create workforce training and pathways. These organizations have difficulty navigating the hiring process/pathways to small business, which differs strongly from union or larger business hiring.

The organization has learned over these years how difficult it is to actually make a difference in reaching youth, and those underserved populations as well, with the opportunities in construction. Our philosophy was and remains to get kids and others interested and then let them find their path in the industry. Some will go union, some will go nonunion, some will cross between the two, and that’s fine. 

As an organization, we’ve learned a lot over the years, and we have some really valuable assets right now that seem to be working. The construction teachers’ conference is a huge hit. They love being in a professional development environment getting their necessary credits that actually fit what they do. So many professional development opportunities for them aren’t directly relevant. Project Build MN’s website continues to be of value for career exploration. The organization has also pioneered some work-based learning opportunities, creating pathways to construction for high school kids. The trades are enjoying a renaissance and more parents are comfortable with their kids becoming electricians and earning great wages, generally with no debt to get there. Probably driving a company truck and enjoying friends in the industry who can come over and fix everything! 

Less than 50% of Minnesota’s high school seniors get a four-year degree (at least in four years). Nothing worse than going to a college for two years, being in debt and discovering it’s not what drives you. We all want to educate our counselors, parents and kids about the opportunities in the industry. Project Build MN did some work with a University of St Thomas several years ago and found that far too few counselors understand the opportunities in construction—another audience we’d love to reach with more resources. 

Outreach work in the schools shows a continued lack of knowledge regarding apprenticeship as a model of education. Apprenticeship is older than the hills and used by union and merit shops alike. Doctors and lawyers used to be taught through apprenticeship. Its concept has been displaced by college and tech school. Apprenticeship is a low-cost way to learn skills while earning a wage and can be used in a multitude of careers and could do wonders in alleviating poverty and skilling up underemployed individuals to help them afford themselves and their families. Not everyone can afford to take the time to earn a degree. 

The 2024 construction teacher conference focused on up-and-coming construction and included a train-the-trainer on solar, a visit to a solar installer, and a tour of a modular builder. Spring Lake Park presented how they reimagined their construction program and ramped up to build a home as part of their curriculum. MN State Energy Center of Excellence shared their resources and trailer availability for energy. The Builders Group shared resources regarding safety training and OSHA 10. We also spoke about the Housing Challenge grants and accessing them. Many of these teachers need to figure out how to fund their programs. Construction materials are expensive. As an organization our ED provided information on how to apply for grants as well. We recently lost that expertise. 

Next year we will be holding the conference at ISD 916 and touring their construction program model. Students have been building one home a year for decades. MN State Transportation of Excellence will have their trailer available, which has a heavy equipment virtual reality and paint booth virtual reality. 

Coming next, new ideas for Project Build MN moving forward include continuing to focus on the construction teachers conference, but adding an event that would allow recruiters to more readily participate in initiatives. We'll keep you posted!