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Highlights of the Residential Building Trades Career Forum Sponsored by: Northern Minnesota Builders Association, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, and Itasca Economic Development Corporation The Residential Building Trades Career forum held December 13, 2007 was the 24 th in a series of forums either sponsored or co-sponsored by Itasca Economic Development. The forum was partially funded by the Blandin Foundation. The forum was open to the public with a primary focus on area students interested in learning about residential building trades careers. Peter McDermott of IEDC provided opening remarks including the statement that there are quality jobs in the Itasca area which include opportunities in the building trades; Bud Stone of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber gave an overview of the Chamber’s workforce development initiatives and Megan Christianson of the Northern Minnesota Builders Association provided introductions and forum facilitation. In July 2007 the Northern Minnesota Builders Association conducted a labor and economic impact survey to 337 licensed residential contractors within the Northern Minnesota Builders Association region. At the forum the survey data was summarized for area students wanting to understand career options in the residential building trades in Northern Minnesota. Mentors from various building trades occupations were seated in the audience to help answer questions and promote discussion among attending students. One hundred and forty students and interested adults were in attendance. Area schools which had student representation included Nashwauk, Hill City, Greenway, Grand Rapids, Deer River, Floodwood and Northern Lights. Keynote speaker Pa m Perri Weaver, Executive Vice President of the Builders Association, addressed the State’s perspective on residential building trades. Perri Weaver has overseen the creation of the Developers and Builders Legal Action Fund, secured a general liability insurance program for the membership and successfully pursued code changes for the industry. Local Panelists talked about their individual trades and highlighted current and future career opportunities in their respective fields. Panelists were:
More information on building trades careers can be accessed at www.nmbuilders.com
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