iBuild Central Florida is on a mission to change how students approach graduation. With that graduation date approaching, iBuild Central Florida plans to celebrate students and adults pursuing careers in the construction industry and giving them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
The 501c3 nonprofit will do that by celebrating trade-bound students that don’t always get the same recognition or opportunities as their college-bound peers.
Thank to the annual iBuild Invitational, students can take part in the celebration April 12, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Valencia College in Orlando. The event features a construction job fair where participants can meet potential employers, followed by a skills competition highlighting trades such as carpentry, HVAC, and electrical work.
After lunch, there also will be a guest speaker and awards. Competition winners can take home cash prizes.
The Invitational welcomes both high school students and adult apprentices. Organized by iBuild Central Florida, the event aims to promote the trades, highlight the achievements of students and apprentices, and connect aspiring skilled workers with industry employers.
iBuild: A new kind of job fair
And iBuild wants you to know this: The event is more than just a competition. “With a growing demand for workers in the construction industry, it’s essential to foster new talent in the trades and show those starting out that there is a pathway for success for them” says Crystal Davidson, VP at iBuild. “This event not only allows students and apprentices to demonstrate and enhance their skills but also helps make connections and get started in the industry.”
The Invitational—in its sixth year—typically draws hundreds of participants and employers, making it a prime networking and career-building opportunity. The event is open to the public, but everyone can register here.
iBuild Central Florida currently is accepting volunteers, participating employers and sponsors for the event. iBuild Central Florida is a nonprofit entity that aims to build pathways with education, the construction industry and the community to help people find rewarding careers in construction.
Started in 2016, iBuild collaborates with more than 400 partners, with its No. 1 priority being to build the workforce development pipeline for the construction industry. The iBuild pipeline includes K-12 industry exposure, pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and re-entry programs, operating under the mission that: “You build the projects, we build the pathways, together we build the people.”
Other iBuild programs
Connecting the Classroom
Active trade professionals come into classrooms to share with students what is currently happening in the field. Educators welcome its work and students embrace the opportunities to learn about new career choices.
iBuild Carpentry Apprenticeship
This is a four-year apprenticeship program that provides training on the jobsite and two nights of classroom instruction. Upon completion of the program, program participants will receive their journeyman’s card and have the skills to work in a variety of craft trades.
iBuild Corrections Pre-Apprenticeship
This state registered pre-apprenticeship program is currently held at Polk Corrections where we are working with those who have less than a year left in their sentencing and teaching them safety, construction basics, and exploring various trades with them. This way when they’re released, they can be hired by one of our partners and enrolled in the second year of an apprenticeship program of their choosing. It utilizes book work, hands-on learning and virtual reality components.
iBuild Mobile Pre-Apprenticeship
This state registered pre-apprenticeship program allows us to take the classroom to your jobsite! It utilizes classwork and hands-on learning to teach construction basics, blueprint reading, safety, and explore various trades so they are better equipped to decide what apprenticeship they may want to enroll in.
