For three days in March, more than 200 middle school students got a firsthand look at careers in the construction industry at ABC Keystone's Construction Wars. The students had the opportunity for hands-on work with industry professionals in the carpentry, masonry, sheet metal fabrication, electrical, plumbing and HVAC trades.

Represented schools in Lancaster and York counties included Garden Spot Middle School in Eastern Lancaster County School District; Gerald G. Huesken Middle School in Conestoga Valley School District; Manor Middle School in the Penn Manor School District; Warwick Middle School; Eastern York Middle School; Elizabethtown Area Middle School; Donegal Junior High School; The Janus School in Mount Joy; and La Academia Partnership Charter School. Construction Wars was held at ABC Keystone's headquarters, 135 Shellyland Road, Manheim.

"We offer this event to provide middle school students with exposure and awareness of our industry and hopefully spark their interest as they are making decisions moving into high school," shared Stephanie R. Larkin, vice president of education, safety and workforce development for ABC Keystone. Larkin explained that students created a variety of take-home projects during the event, including a sheet metal toolbox and a wooden bench. Additionally, they wired lightbulbs and created a circuit, laid brick, were introduced to basic safety and CPR and learned about refrigeration.

Now is the time for students to consider careers in construction, Larkin said, noting that the demand for trade skills grows annually. Average wages for some trades are $70,000 per year, and apprentices participate in earn-while-you-learn programs, allowing them to access educational opportunities while working, with the potential to graduate debt free. She also emphasized that the industry provides multiple education and career pathways, ranging from apprenticeship to journey-level worker to business owner.

ABC Keystone has held the event for more than five years, and Larkin remarked that it requires support from the community to pull it off. "The event is only possible because we have 30 to 35 volunteers each day and very generous member sponsors who provide hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, T-shirts, construction materials and lunches, along with items for goodie bags," she said.