PLANTING THE SEED
Building Futures promotes diversity and inclusion in the construction industry by introducing minorities at an early age, when career aspirations are being formed, to careers in the trades. Young people, pre-school through high school, are given the opportunity to experience the joy of making with their hands and minds.
A 2019 joint report (https://www.oecd.org/education/Envisioning-the-future-of-education-and-jobs.pdf) by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Education and Employees validatesthe importance of Building Futures’ work. The report found that primary school students need more opportunities to learn about different career options to combat the “ingrained stereotyping” that sets in by the age of 7.
The report warned of the barriers to social mobility and said often young people consider only the jobs that are already familiar to them, from friends and family.