Third Annual Career Day Spotlights Local Construction Opportunities
Students from five area schools had the opportunity to learn all about a career in construction, thanks to Staab Construction’s 3rd annual Career Day.
Held at Staab’s location at 1800 Laemle Ave, several area business owners from the construction trade were on-site. Students from Marshfield, Stratford, Auburndale, Pittsville and Granton were able to ask questions and learn more about construction and related fields of work.
Groups spent approximately 30 minutes at each of the ten stations, learning from Total Electric, House of Heating, Reigel Plumbing, Maurer’s Roofing, Vantage Mechanical, The Boson Company, and Staab Construction, along with Mid State Technical College, (ABC) Associated Builders and Contracting of Wisconsin, and the (AGC) Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin.
“Each year we invite area businesses that are in the construction trade to help us in exposing what our career has to offer – whether youth apprenticeship, right out of school, an apprenticeship or technical college,” said Dan Neve, Operations Manager at Staab Construction. “It gives them a chance to ask questions firsthand about anything related to the trades and also for a specific trade of their interest. It also gives students more information regarding trade opportunities in Youth Apprenticeship, Adult Apprenticeship and Technical College courses and degrees.”
With demonstrations on concrete forming, wiring, and equipment operating, and the 
chance to run simulators, it is one of the few opportunities in the state for students to have this experience.
“Our goal is of course to showcase the construction trades as a very viable career choice,” said Neve. “By letting students know about career choices they have when graduating – if not sooner – we hope to be informing and developing a pipeline of hopeful skilled workers for years to come.”
Neve added that Staab has hired from area schools and will continue to look at them as their greatest resource for quality employees.
“Every industry is short skilled workers which means we need to spread the word of how great of a career the construction industry is,” he said. “With all of the news coverage regarding school debt – construction is a path for individuals to graduate high school and earn a great living while either being an apprentice with a pathway to the journey trades, or maybe a 2-year technical degree with opportunities to work while in school.”
He added that the college route might be the current culture, but it’s not for everyone. Within 3 to 4 years, and completion of an apprenticeship program after High School, an individual can earn between $42,000 and $65,000 per year – all debt free.
“As someone who has worked in the construction industry for over 40 years and involved with area school to work programs, I see the need for us to reach students and their parents as to the benefits of learning a real trade that they not only do while at work but skills that they take home with them,” said Neve. “By having this career day we hope to open eyes and spark an interest in some students now and in the future.”
