NUCA of Nebraska Partners Teams Up with The Lighthouse to Introduce Kids to Construction

Workforce shortages have been plaguing the construction markets for many years now. Companies across all sectors of the industry are looking for ways to attract, train and retain workers. In fact, a 2024 report by the Associated Builders and Contractors states that an additional 500,000 workers are needed to meet demand, with a similar shortfall forecast for 2025.

And the underground utility construction market is not immune to these woes. Many companies report that they are unable to bid work as a result of insufficient labor available – in spite of the fact that funding for infrastructure construction is at an all-time high. Ultimately, it is the public that suffers as critical services for our communities and the environment continue in a state of disrepair.

NUCA has been addressing the issue of workforce development head on. While NUCA heads up its Workforce Development Committee at the national level, many Chapters are developing partnerships that are achieving results at the local level.

One chapter actively involved in workforce development initiatives is NUCA of Nebraska. Recently, the chapter began a program with The Lighthouse in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Lighthouse is an accredited After-School Program that offers middle and high school aged-youth academic support, evening meals, and enrichment/recreational activities during non-school hours, Monday through Friday, 12 months a year. The Lighthouse After-School Program goal is to increase the likelihood of high school graduation of middle and high school-aged youth by providing high quality programming.

In 2023 they launched a new program called Trades and Industry Program (TIP) after the stark realization that many of the students they serve may not be able to afford or may not have an interest in any type of post-secondary education and would likely enter the workforce upon graduation. The solution to this dilemma was the creation of the Trades and Industry Program.

The Lighthouse Program director Jeremy Trujillo said, “Our TIP program is designed to provide hands-on training and education to youth in the community, specifically in the trades industry. We believe that by exposing youth to the trades, particularly those from low-income families, they will be better equipped to pursue a well-paying career in construction, manufacturing, automotive repair, trucking, welding, and electrical work. Our program is designed to teach students the skills they need to be successful in the industry, while also providing them with real-world experience through on the job training, internships, and apprenticeships. This is a great way to break the poverty cycle in our community and give youth from low-income families an opportunity to achieve a better standard of living. With the support of local businesses and trade organizations, we are confident that our program will make a real difference in the lives of the youth in our community.”

Lighthouse youth have participated in six-week courses in manufacturing, electrician training, programing & automation, robotics and the concrete industry. The opportunity to present information on underground utilities and heavy equipment operations was offered after The Lighthouse staff learned of the intent and success of Dozer Day Nebraska. NUCA of Nebraska became the first trade association to present a specific career pathway through the coordination of chapter Workforce Development Manager Annette McRoy.

Beginning in April 2024,NUCA member company Bauer Underground hosted 10-13 students from the Lighthouse ‘s Trades and Industry Program as part of the TIP program. The weekly sessions took place at Bauer Underground job sites for hands-on introduction to underground utilities. On day one, staff outfitted each student with PPE gear that included a hard hat, high visibility shirt, gloves, and safety glasses. The students were beyond excited to try on the gear and look like “real construction workers”.

“We are excited to be able to share with the students what a job in the underground utilities can look like and share our own stories of success as many of us started here with no prior experience,” said Chance Thomson, Bauer Underground Director of Operations.

“I think it’s great what the Lighthouse program does. I’m glad that NUCA Nebraska was able to team up with them and that Bauer Underground could be a small part of this. I think the kids are having a great time and learning a lot of things about our industry and what we do on a day-to-day basis. Hopefully we can get these kids excited for the future and show them that the construction industry can be a great career. We’re really excited about this program and we’re glad that we could be such a small part of such a great opportunity to help these kids and show them a career path.”

Topics covered to date include:

• Safety on the job site.
• Horizontal directional drilling field demonstration which emphasized how the equipment is set up and the drill is guided to its target. Students used a directional drill locator to help track and guide the drill.
• Trenching
• Obstacle Course with skid steer
• Equipment 0perator practice using an excavator to pick up three basketballs at once before depositing them into a bucket.
• Large Bulldozer driving techniques.

Classes also took place at the Lincoln Murphy Tractor and Equipment Company dealership to talk about careers such as shop maintenance technicians and apprenticeship opportunities.

“We’re so excited to be working with The Lighthouse on this initiative,” McRoy said. “Through this program we are able to introduce students to the trade, and we have had students indicate that underground construction is a field that they would be interested in pursuing.”

Below are a few comments from some of the students in this year’s program:

• “Being a part of this program was something that I looked forward to doing every week. I love the environment and relationships they have with each other. I am always excited to be here and try new things. Bauer Underground has given more option plans for my future and would definitely work here if college wasn’t in the picture. I will definitely miss coming every week and I loved everything I learned, not just the work part but the relationship part. “Sandy
• “Great program, very informative. We were shown the many duties the employees are responsible for. I really enjoyed the Skidsteer and the big excavators they brought in. I liked learning about how they run the wire underground.” Javi
• “Participating in this program was extremely fun and I enjoyed it a ton. I looked forward to coming to Bauer Underground every week. The hospitality was fantastic, and the workers had a lot of patience when teaching us how to use the heavy machinery. The whole experience was wonderfully exhilarating and definitely have interest in working with Bauer Underground in the future”. Sajad

In addition to working with The Lighthouse, NUCA of Nebraska is pursuing other opportunities to reach students potentially interested in construction careers. The chapter partnered with TeamMates Mentoring for its recent Dozer Day event. Originally started by legendary Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne in 1991, TeamMates Mentoring has spread to five states. In Nebraska, they have 141TeamMates school chapters in 170 communities statewide. The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to impact the world by inspiring students to reach their full potential through mentoring. Mentors meet with their mentees one-on-one in school, once a week, during the academic year or in the college program once a month.

TeamMates Mentoring, which awarded scholarships to over 200 seniors in 2022, demonstrates a commitment to supporting students in their postsecondary education. Many of TeamMates’ college partners offer coursework in vocational and technical areas indicating realization of the trades being a viable career pathway for many of their students ready to enter the workforce.

Current partnership plans are for TeamMates Mentoring to promote NUCA of Nebraska’s scholarship programs and recruit their mentors to become volunteers at Dozer Day Nebraska. In addition, TeamMates Mentoring will actively recruit NUCA of Nebraska members to volunteer as mentors thus exposing students to the trades in a one-on-one setting.

“TeamMates Mentoring is thrilled to partner with NUCA of Nebraska and the first-annual Nebraska Dozer Day. We believe this is a great fit for TeamMates Mentors and Mentees as the event provides a unique hands-on educational opportunity and exposes our youth to new career pathways. This event not only helps to sustain the industry in our community but also is a fun event for all youth,” said DeMoine Adams, CEO TeamMates Mentoring.

A portion of the proceeds from the Nebraska Dozer Day event was donated to the Nebraska chapter of TeamMates Mentoring.

If your company would like to participate in future classes showcasing different aspects of the industry through the Lighthouse Inspiring Futures Program, or in partnership with other Nebraska high schools, please contact Annette McRoy, Workforce Development Manager, at (402) 476-8344 or annette@assocoffice.net. Tags: NUCA of Nebraska