Pacific Charter School Development’s Northern California team recently sponsored a new group of interns through the Construction Industry Workforce Initiative (CIWI) for the third consecutive year.
On June 26th, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of ten CIWI interns who are currently enrolled in universities and colleges throughout California. These talented students are pursuing diverse fields within the construction industry, ranging from civil engineering to construction management, development, and architecture, among others. We introduced them to our team and also facilitated conversations with architects and general contractors at two Oakland schools: Education for Change’s Achieve Academy campus and Leadership Public School’s R & D school located on the Castlemont campus. To provide a comprehensive experience, we even arranged for one of Overaa’s high school interns to share insights about working on a construction site.
During the visit, we showcased the ongoing renovations in the existing buildings, as well as the construction documents and building pads for the upcoming construction taking place over the next year. At the first campus, the interns received an overview of school construction projects and had the opportunity to observe the construction site from the balcony of a building slated for demolition in the summer of 2024. They learned about the challenges that arise in the construction process and how the teams effectively tackled them. Moreover, the interns gained valuable insights into the educational pathways that lead to successful careers in the construction industry.
By the end of the day, several students expressed interest in school construction, as it hadn’t been on their radar before. This experience opened their eyes to the possibilities and potential within this field, and we are thrilled to have played a part in shaping their career aspirations.
Monte Wilson, CIWI Project Director, reflecting on the event, enthusiastically stated, “This partnership with PCSD has been an incredible journey, and this year’s collaboration with the CIWI interns further solidifies the impact we can make together. Witnessing the interns’ growing interest in school construction and their exposure to diverse aspects of the industry has been truly inspiring. We are proud to play a role in shaping their futures and fostering their passion for construction.”
