This summer, Brooke Johnson, the School Counseling Team Leader at Blackstone Valley Technical High School, participated in the third annual Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts’ Building Advancement Externship. 

The AGC MA’s week-long externship program provided comprehensive exposure to the multi-faceted regional commercial construction industry to Massachusetts-based high school and trade school leaders. Participating externs took part in informative meetings with leadership at local firms, toured active job sites, and visited the North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Facility. They received an overview of field training and safety programs and detailed instruction regarding project management and industry innovations. Over the course of the externship, externs established mutually helpful partnerships between their schools and students and the construction leaders seeking to bring talented young people into their workforce.

Each participant received a stipend of $3,000 to $4,000 provided by the Massachusetts Construction Advancement Program (MCAP). In addition, because AGC MA is a DESE recognized provider, participating vocational educators, guidance counselors, and administrators were eligible to receive 40 Professional Development Points towards continuing education requirements.

“Our annual Building Advancement Externship is one of the most rewarding events on the AGC MA calendar,” said Marion Jones, AGC MA Director of Workforce Development and Industry Inclusion. “Every year, we look forward to promoting the many fulfilling career opportunities in the modern construction industry to the caring guidance professionals who will help our young people build their futures.”

In addition to Johnson, this year’s externs were: Molly Brewster, Brighton High School; Crystal Cartwright, Amherst Pelham Regional High School; Jeanne Downey, Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School; Maki Faria, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School; Roger Forget, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School; Justin Kratz, McCann Technical School; Brian O’Connell, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute; LaTrelle Pinkney-Chase, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School; Nathan Polk, YouthBuild Boston; Kayla Schutte, Somerville High School; Bruce Secor, Northeast Metro Tech; and Madeline Smola, Quaboag Regional School District.

To learn more about the AGC Building Advancement Externship program, please visit: https://www.constructingma.org/agc-ma-building-advancement-externship/. 

About Associated General Contractors, Massachusetts

AGC MA is a chapter of the national Associated General Contractors of America, which began in 1918 with the goal to assist the government in building up the nation, an objective that AGC has been fulfilling since that time. AGC MA was founded in 1935--representing over 85 years of Building Excellence. Currently, the chapter works closely with all facets of the industry to offer fair business practices for 200 members from Cape Cod to the New York border.