This year, Skate4Concrete, powered by the non-profit Project Cornerstone, delivered its first-ever Construction Summer Camp. In three days, 22 students (ages 15-18) visited three locations throughout San Diego County, Calif., and explored the science of, pathway to, and job opportunities within the concrete and construction materials industry.
The students’ first day was spent at the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Apprenticeship and Training Trust in San Diego. AGC graciously provided its own staff to lead the students through hands-on activities, including wood and metal framing, concrete mold preparation, and heavy equipment operator simulation.
The AGC Apprenticeship pathway is an alternative to a traditional four-year college degree, wherein apprentices work for a partnered construction company and simultaneously receive a free education from AGC. Representatives explained to the students how to apply and succeed within their program.
The second day was hosted at Martin Marietta’s mechanic shop in Lakeside. Students were able to tour the site and explore job opportunities in the quality control lab, diesel mechanic shop (hosted by Miramar College diesel technology instructor Valentino Nevarez), and driver (thanks to West Coast Sand & Gravel Inc). Additionally, Volvo Construction Equipment & Services representatives visited the site with one of their brand-new bulldozers, allowing the students to sit inside and simulate basic maintenance tasks.
Finally, on the third day, students experienced the working environment at Enniss Inc, a local licensed Verti-Block manufacturer. They finished their hands-on experience in the concrete and construction materials industry with actual supervised heavy equipment operation, welding, and the full process of Verti-Block construction, from cleaning and preparing the concrete molds to the finishing touches of smoothing and installing hardware.
Students were then able to conduct mock interviews with representatives from Martin Marietta, Enniss, Cemex, Superior Ready Mix, and Hester’s Granite. These professionals were able to provide a simulated interview experience and provide helpful feedback to the students to aid in their potential foray into the concrete and construction materials industry.
The 2024 Skate4Concrete campers finished the event with a well-rounded perspective of the concrete and construction materials industry. They learned about the creation and use of concrete and explored various pathways to obtaining experience, such as AGC apprenticeship, on the job training, and Career Technical Education (CTE) courses.
The students were additionally offered hands-on exposure to numerous job offerings, including welding, equipment operation, diesel mechanics, etc. Finally, they earned real practice in honing their interviewing skills with actual industry professionals.
The event could not have occurred without the support of sponsors and the companies who provided their time, expertise and materials to assist the next generation of concrete and construction professionals: the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, Associated General Contractors Apprenticeship and Training Trust, Martin Marietta, Valentino Nevarez (Miramar College), West Coast Sand & Gravel, Volvo Construction Equipment & Services, Enniss, Cemex, Superior Ready Mix, and Hester’s Granite.
Skate4Concrete is powered by Project Cornerstone, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that recognized the opportunity to reach and educate local youth through the popular activity of skateboarding. Skate4Concrete seeks to educate students on concrete and allow them to explore the process of building skateparks and the job options involved in doing so. Their projects include the online Concrete Certification course and the mini-skatepark building contest.
