As the demand for construction workers grows in Florida, thousands of students from 57 high schools and technical schools in Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties gained hands-on experience in the field at last week’s Central Florida Construction Career Days (CCD), exploring whether a career in the country’s multi-billion-dollar transportation construction industry may be their calling.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) partnered with industry leaders to host the event on January 29-30 at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, a demonstration of regional organizations, businesses, and school districts working together to meet industry demands.
The educational event featured more than 40 learning labs led by industry leaders who offered insights into various transportation and construction roles, as well as interactive demonstrations and experiences with the latest high-tech equipment, including a 53-foot-long semi-truck simulator. Students also received hands-on practice operating several large pieces of heavy equipment, such as excavators and skid steer loaders, and experienced the event from above on the elevated platform of a bucket truck.
CCD was created in 1999 by transportation industry officials who recognized the growing demand for qualified construction workers to support Florida’s booming population and tourism industry through improved roadways and business expansion. The outreach event aims to cultivate an interest in high school students for the wide variety of skilled construction careers. To learn more about CCD, visit ccdfl.org.
For more information, contact the FDOT District Five Public Information Office at [email protected] or by phone at (386) 943-5593.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
CCD - Heavy Equipment: High school students learned about the transportation construction industry through hands-on experience at the Central Florida Construction Career Days event January 29-30 at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Participants had the chance to operate heavy equipment, including skid steers, excavators, and more.
CCD - Indoor Interactive Lab: High school students learned about the transportation construction industry through hands-on experience at the Central Florida Construction Career Days event January 29-30 at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Participants engaged in learning labs that allowed them to operate tools used on the job.
CCD - Outdoor Interactive Lab: High school students learned about the transportation construction industry through hands-on experience at the Central Florida Construction Career Days event January 29-30 at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Participants engaged in learning labs that allowed them to operate tools used on the job.
CCD - Bucket Truck: High school students learned about the transportation construction industry through hands-on experience at the Central Florida Construction Career Days event January 29-30 at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Participants had the chance to utilize industry equipment, including going up on the elevated platform of a bucket truck.
CCD - Excavator: High school students learned about the transportation construction industry through hands-on experience at the Central Florida Construction Career Days event January 29-30 at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Participants had the chance to operate heavy equipment, including skid steers, excavators, and more.
CCD - Indoor Learning Lab: High school students learned about the transportation construction industry through hands-on experience at the Central Florida Construction Career Days event January 29-30 at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Participants engaged in learning labs that allowed them to operate tools used on the job.
