Marwood General Construction recently hosted an industry career day in Poulsbo for seniors at North Kitsap High School, providing students with first-hand insight into the business.

Organized by Heather Maass, future readiness counselor at NKHS, Marwood was selected to host the event because of its long-standing presence in Poulsbo plus its nearby Johnson Ridge residential project, a news release states. Nine students attended career day April 18.

Starting with an overview of the industry and a preview of an active construction project, the students were given safety briefings and personal protective equipment before heading out to the site. Once there, they explored several pieces of heavy machinery, including bulldozers, off-road dump trucks, front-loaders, and they concluded with a few minutes behind the controls of a Caterpillar excavator, per the release.

“The students experience acknowledgment of the labor/trade-based skills, validation that they can be successful, even if academics has not been, as well as a sense of belonging from the adults they interact with,” Maass said. “My intent of the site visits … is for no student to feel less than; every student has a viable pathway. All students have a dream; my role is to foster and cultivate a plan.”

Having indicated an interest in construction, touring the site involving earthwork and underground utilities made a real impression on them. “We were pleased to offer these students a first-hand look at how they may one day be helping to build the future,” said Laura Gardner, vice president of operations for Marwood.

A student learns how to operate a mini excavator.