journalfront

Construction

Trade Groups' Playbook for High School Construction Summer Camp

2024-12-05

The construction industry is currently facing a significant shortage of workers, a challenge that is being addressed at the local level through various programs and initiatives. This series shines a light on those efforts aimed at recruiting the next generation of construction professionals. Read previous entries here to learn more about the ongoing work.

Uncovering the Path to a Skilled Construction Workforce

Heavy Metal Origins and the Birth of HMSE

In 2020, Angie Simon, the national president of SMACNA, recognized the need to reach out to teens who might otherwise overlook the construction trades as a career path. She coordinated with HVAC services firm Hermanson Co. in Seattle and Western Allied Mechanical in Union City, California, to formulate the ideas for an educational program. The result was the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE), a 36-hour program hosted in company shops. High school students and recent graduates visited these shops over a few days a week for six weeks to gain hands-on experiences in trades like HVAC and metalworking, while also exploring the construction industry as a viable career option.Unlike other nationwide organizations running numerous camps, HMSE developed a playbook for running its camp or a similar one. This provides flexibility, as some camps are hosted in union training centers instead of contractors' shops, and some focus on different trades such as plumbing, pipelaying, or electrical work. For example, Stacy Zerr, the executive director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City, runs her camp from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, with a packed schedule of hands-on activities. "Camp is exhausting!" she said. "Ultimately, they should feel a satisfaction in seeing how they can use their hands and minds to produce something that can help build our worlds."

Alejandra Rios' Journey into Construction

Alejandra Rios, a 21-year-old junior in high school, came across a flyer for the inaugural HMSE. She had previously worked with metal, taking jewelry classes and learning the basics of soldering and metalworking. "It got me thinking I would want to do this on a bigger scale. I really enjoyed it," she told Construction Dive. Today, she is an apprentice doing marine maintenance for the Port of Seattle, more than halfway to journeyman status. Without the HMSE, she might have attended a technical college or pursued accounting. In 2021, when the HMSE was focused primarily on HVAC and metalworking, she attended one of its camps. In 2024, there were 36 camps across the U.S. and Canada, reaching 500 kids. In 2025, the number will continue to grow.

Reuben Umanskiy's Discovery of Construction

Reuben Umanskiy, 18 years old, was initially reluctant to attend the HMSE when his robotics teacher recommended it. But his teacher convinced him, saying it would be better than "wasting" his summer with video games and offering extra credit. He enjoyed it so much that he attended the following summer without the extra credit. "You straight up get to weld, they give you all the protective gear," he said. Now, he is a material handler for Hermanson in Seattle. His passion for construction wouldn't have existed without the HMSE. Both Rios and Umanskiy mentioned that they hadn't previously considered construction as a career because they hadn't had direct exposure to it. They were mostly used to seeing jobsites from a distance.Stacy Zerr, the camp director, emphasized that this is the kind of impact they are looking for. Most high schoolers don't have hands-on experience with any trade, even at an entry level like a wood shop class. "It's hard to know if you have a gift or passion for something when you've never had exposure or a chance to try it," she said. "HMSE is about giving kids a chance to try something new."Angie Simon encouraged more contractors to take action, whether by hosting an HMSE or finding other ways to address the skilled labor crisis. "I think it's time for us to stop talking about it and start doing something about it," she said. The HMSE is making a significant impact on the construction industry by introducing young people to the trades and helping to bridge the worker shortage gap.

The construction of Sutter Pointe, a significant housing and community development project, is set to border an extensive 7,528 acres of land in the southern part of Sutter County. This ambitious endeavor is not only transforming the local landscape but also bringing forth a plethora of opportunities and amenities.

Unveiling the Future of Sutter County with Sutter Pointe

Project Overview

Sutter Pointe is set to become a fully-fledged city in southern Sutter County. It is surrounded by key geographical features such as Natomas Road on the east, Powerline Road and State Routh 99/70 on the west, North Main Canal and R Drain on the north, and the Sutter/Sacramento County line. The approval of this project by the Sutter County Board of Supervisors in June 2009 marked the beginning of a transformative journey. 1: The approval was a significant milestone as it paved the way for the development of various essential elements within the project. These include affordable housing, retail shopping, leisure facilities, schools, volunteer opportunities, and a diverse range of land uses. Each aspect is designed to enhance the quality of life for the residents and contribute to the growth of the local community. 2: The extensive land area of 7,528 acres provides ample space for the implementation of these diverse features. It allows for the creation of a well-balanced community that caters to the needs and preferences of different individuals and families.

Construction Timeline and Phases

Since its inception, Sutter Pointe has been making steady progress. In 2014, the Board of Supervisors authorized an amendment to the Sutter Pointe Specific Plan for the eastern portion. This further refined the development plans and ensured the seamless integration of different areas. 1: In 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved the Sutter Pointe Regional Wastewater Conveyance Project, which is crucial for the proper functioning of the entire development. This project involves extending wastewater services from the Upper Northwest Interceptor to the specific plan area, ensuring environmental sustainability. 2: The most recent milestone was in November 2020 when the Board of Supervisors approved the first stage of construction, named Lakeside at Sutter Pointe. This stage is located near the north of Riego Road and south of Sankey Road and will include around 3,400 single-family homes, 400 apartment complexes, 46 job opportunities, 25 retail/shopping spaces, 61 acres of recreational area, and 54 acres of natural space with a K-8 school.

Current Status and Future Prospects

The first stage of the Lakeside portion of the Sutter Pointe project, which is already under construction and covers about 873.5 acres, is expected to bring significant changes to the area. According to the Sutter County Development Services Department, the first residential building permits for Phase 1 are anticipated to be issued in the fall of 2025. 1: This indicates the imminent start of a new era in Sutter County, with the construction of these homes and facilities bringing in new residents and boosting the local economy. The availability of affordable housing and various job opportunities will attract people from different walks of life. 2: As the project progresses, it is expected to have a positive impact on the surrounding areas as well. The addition of retail shopping, leisure facilities, and schools will enhance the overall livability of the region and create a vibrant community.

Multnomah County is set to allocate an additional $1.8 million for the construction and upgrades of its deflection center. This facility was established to offer drug users an alternative to arrest. The Board of Commissioners approved the new funding on Thursday, with Commissioner Sharon Meieran being the lone dissenting vote. This new funding nearly doubles the county's investment in the facility's upgrades. The board had originally authorized $2 million for improvements to the Southeast Portland building in July.

Unforeseen Costs and Delays

Officials admitted on Thursday that they were not confident the original amount would cover the construction as the estimate was made during a rushed timeline to open the facility. They further added that the building required more work than anticipated. Dan Zalkow, the director of Facilities and Property Management, stated, "We had minimal knowledge of the building and had not designed the project yet. From a cost perspective, from the start, nearly everything we touched in the building was worse than we expected." Unexpected asbestos, the need for updates to fire safety systems, and the addition of more lighting set the project back. Overtime for construction employees and expedited shipping of materials to attempt a September 1 opening, which the county missed, also contributed to the increased costs.

Impact on the Deflection Program

The $3.8 million price tag for improvements will not directly come from the county's funds. The state provided $25 million for the county to launch its deflection program. This money will also be used for the ongoing costs of running the current Coordinated Care Pathway Center, which serves as Portland's deflection hub, and to fund the construction of a permanent deflection facility in 2026. Officials estimated in August that it would cost $11.8 million to operate the deflection center in its first 22 months. This figure included nearly $4 million for the Baltimore nonprofit Tuerk House, which is running the center, to provide staff, food, and basic medical supplies, $2 million to pay county staff, $2 million for transportation to and from the center, and $1.6 million for security, among other things.

Controversy and Doubts

Meieran, who has closely examined the county's program, expressed shock at the unexpected jump in construction costs. She said, "It sounded like you had a plan. Now you're coming back saying the amount is literally double what it was when you came to us however many months ago. There's no way as a board we should be saying it's okay to give $1.8 million more now to this project." Chair Jessica Vega Pederson acknowledged that she was warned about the increasing costs to finish the deflection center and that it is not uncommon for construction projects to exceed estimated budgets. She said, "The goal of everyone was to try to minimize additional costs, and there were some ways that was able to happen and there were some ways it was not. When we realized what the costs were, we scheduled this and put it on the board meeting."

Effectiveness and Referrals

Meieran questioned the effectiveness of the center, arguing that it has served a small number of people since it opened on October 14. Police referred 74 people to the facility in its first month of operations, averaging just over two people per day. In total, 127 people have chosen deflection over arrest, including cases from September when the county deployed mobile deflection units while waiting for the center to open. Portland Police Commander Brian Hughes said that the bureau has deferred approximately one-third of people caught with drugs to deflection so far. He stated, "This has been, I think, a worthwhile endeavor, and I look forward to continuing it."A person approved for deflection must pass a screening by police and agree to choose deflection over arrest. After that, police transport the person to the county's facility where they meet with a peer support specialist. From there, they undergo a medical screening to determine their needs and receive referrals for shelter, behavioral health, drug addiction treatment, and other services. Officials have not released the number of people who have actually accessed services following a screening with the county. The county will share this information in February.People with warrants or other charges pending, those who are too intoxicated to consent to go into deflection, or those who have "failed deflection" within the previous 30 days are not eligible for deflection. A person fails deflection if they do not follow up with services within 30 days of being caught with drugs.The current deflection center is temporary, and the county plans to open a permanent, larger location by 2026 with additional sobering and withdrawal beds.— Austin De Dios covers Multnomah County politics, programs, and more. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios.Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.