CarolinaPower Co-Hosts Summer Program to Give Teens Hands-On Introduction to Construction Trades

CarolinaPower and Brasfield & Gorrie are co-hosting and sponsoring three one-day construction experiences for middle-and-high school age kids this summer in Greenville, S.C. The purpose of these experiential learning events, made possible by the Benjamin Franklin Experience (BFE), is to introduce highly-motivated teens to the construction industry and the opportunities that await them. The events were held on June 20 and July 16. The third is scheduled for August 1. Twenty students participate per event. Benjamin Franklin Experience (BFE) is a non-profit summer program through which teens have day-in-the-life experiences in inspirational careers, including science, engineering, music, journalism, medicine, and construction. CarolinaPower Vice President and General Manager Chris Moore says the company’s involvement in the Ben Franklin Experience has far exceeded all expectations. “We at CarolinaPower are proud to be part of the construction industry – an industry that enhances the lives of our employees and the communities in which we operate. When given the opportunity to tell that story, we were excited to do it. While I knew the students would find it rewarding to install a product at an actual construction site that would be visible to the public, what I did not anticipate was the level of joy the volunteer professionals and craftsmen would experience from sharing their passion for their craft with the students.”

What’s the Benjamin Franklin Construction Experience all about?

In the morning, students fabricate lighting fixtures in CarolinaPower’s warehouse in Greer, S.C., then head to a Brasfield & Gorrie jobsite in downtown Greenville where the students install the parking garage lighting fixtures they fabricated. “By all measures, these all-day experiences have been a success. After the first experience alone, students who would have never considered a career in construction were seeking enrollment in our apprenticeship program. And seasoned craftspeople expressed excitement about the future of our industry after seeing the young talent eager to join our team,” said Moore.

Learn more about the day’s activities and all the other construction companies and suppliers that donated time and materials by reading the full press release issued by The Benjamin Franklin Experience.