Students who are part of the cement, plastering, carpentry, and building construction technology programs at the Sierra Nevada Job Corps demonstrated their skills at the second annual Construction Career Day held at the Reno Sparks Convention Center.

Students demonstrated how to use slow-dry cement to mold and smooth forms, how to plaster, how to properly cut wood, how to repair walls, and how to paint.

Painter Timothy Addison felt great about sharing his knowledge with younger students,

“Teaching those kids what I’ve been living the last eight months is easy, especially when they really want to learn. The interested ones ask questions and get into specifics. I’m not much older than them (I’m 17), but training here at Job Corps makes you grow up faster.”

Hundreds of high school and middle school students from all over the Washoe County School District in Nevada came to the event. More than 40 construction and education exhibitors were on hand—including the talented students from the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center.

Building construction technology student Megan Silver is new to her trade, but says she’s learned so much in such little time that she feels prepared.

“I’ve only been in the vocation for a few months, but I already know enough to teach the kids something. I have more confidence from all the hands-on learning I’ve done so far, and that’s a wonderful feeling for me.”  

“The group from Job Corps was so great,” says event sponsor Pam Duxbury who is with Nevada Builders. “The kids were so engaged. Their how-to-do projects attracted hundreds of the students. Everyone really loved the hands-on stuff!”

Admissions and Career Transitions Manager Christy Shelton, who also helped run the center’s admissions booth, says, “It was awesome seeing our students showing off their trade skills, teaching others and selling the Job Corps program all at the same time. They made a lot of friends out here today.”