Mentor program gives students sample of work in construction trades

Bradley Tech High School capped off its inaugural Life Mentor program, which aims to introduce students to a career in the construction trades, with an hour-long event on Friday intended to grow student interest in the program through presentations and hands-on instruction.

The technology and trade school on Milwaukee’s south side had its first go with the program this year in partnership with the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council. About 25 students took part in the program during the spring semester, said Scott Sommer, industry liaison with the school. He hopes that number will triple in its second year.

Students in the program met with roughly 10 trades professionals each month, who would lead activities that exposed them to a variety of trades. The mentors introduced students to welding, wiring, plumbing, tile-setting, heating and other construction work. In addition, they provided guidance to those interested in pursuing trade and technical careers.

Mentors and mentees alike then had a chance to show off their skills during the event held on Friday in Bradley Tech’s construction and welding workshops.

Remi Kpoho, a junior at the school, busied himself at the bricklaying station on Friday. He was among the group of students who recently went through the Life Mentor program.

“I really like the trades, and I like all the hands-on job training,” Kpoho said, explaining his interest in becoming a mentee.

Standing beside him was Bill Bonlender, a field representative of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers District Council of Wisconsin Local 8. Bonlender, one of the program mentors, said the program exposes students to opportunities they may not have known about.

At the same time, he said, the program will help train the next generation of workers in the construction trades. This is especially important for the Milwaukee area, which is experiencing a boom in development and not enough workers.

“We’re seeing more work in Milwaukee than we’ve seen in many, many years,” he said. “Putting the community to work is going to be very important.”

The event at Bradley Tech came a day after a visit to Milwaukee by U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez and Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin. The two visited the site of a future $524 million Bucks arena in downtown Milwaukee before taking a tour of the Milwaukee Area Technical College campus.

Baldwin and Perez spoke of the importance of apprenticeships in providing a source of workers to an industry suffering from a labor shortage.

Perez called apprenticeship training, “the ‘other’ college, except without the debt.”

Construction of the Bucks arena and related developments is expected to start this month. In addition, construction continues on the 1.1 million-square-foot Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons project, and work should soon start on a $124 million streetcar line in Milwaukee. Demolition work is also set to begin this fall related to the Couture, a 44-story apartment and retail high-rise.

Some of the students involved from this program could potentially begin working as an apprentice on a project like the Bucks arena later in the year, noted Dan Bukiewicz, president of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council.

Bukiewicz, who attended Friday’s event, said a partnership with the school was an extension of his organization’s goals.

“What’s at the heart of what we do is education on how to enter the trades,” he said, adding that the mentor program gives students “a flavor” of each trade to find out which they prefer.

Sommer said students who watch industry professionals work their crafts are more likely to be interested in seeking a career in the trades.

“(The program) brings the passion and encouragement of our mentors who are so passionate about their careers,” he said, “and it’s contagious with the students.”