Rosendin

Watch at: http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/valley-teens-given-opportunity-to-explore-careers-in-construction

PHOENIX (KSAZ) – Sometimes kids need a little direction.

Some career advice to lead them down the right path and help them find something they love to do.

“I just kind of like being able to work with my hands, like being able to build things,” Lindsey Lutz said.

This group of seniors and juniors from Thatcher High School got the opportunity to explore careers in construction.

“We need a lot, from general labor on up, so a lot of different positions that we have — project manager, project engineers, general labor, pipe layers, everything,” said Gina Lugo of Hunter Contracting.

“We’ve had a workforce shortage in the nation for the last couple of years and this is one of the ways that Arizona is attempting to tackle that work force shortage,” said Jim Knupp of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors has sponsored the event for 16 years now. This year, 2,700 students from 100 different schools and 10 different counties are participating, along with 60 exhibitors like McCarthy Construction.

“Looking for anybody that is eager and ready to work, got a drive and ready to be here,” Mark Snieder said.

These kids seem to be willing to roll up their sleeves and think outside of the box.

“It’s way more fun, you get to be in the outdoors, you get to be outside, not just sitting at a computer all day,” one student said.

The construction industry in Arizona added 23,000 jobs in September and 315,000 over the past year. These teens could be part of the growing number.