Tuesday, February 10, 2009 12:19:38 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Regional Rally at Master Builders

Puget Sound Skills Center students were one of three teams selected to compete at the International Construction Challenge Championships to be held in Knoxville in May. Student team members are Jordan Simpson, David Barber, Kevin Jones, Scott Valbush, James McConnon, and Kasey Asbury.

Puget Sound Skills Center (PSSC) students from the Construction Technology Program participated at the Regional Rally of the Construction Challenge on February 7. Sixteen rallies were held across the nation to select the top 60 teams. These U.S. teams will join 800+ teams from around the world to compete in the International Construction Challenge Championships in May in Tennessee where they will compete for cash prizes and scholarships.

Students invented tools and structures, solved design puzzles and along the way learned about the building and construction industry. With only raw materials, a goal and their imaginations, the 61 students tackled hands-on challenges. In timed trials, they built inventions and structures from scratch, including even a cardboard-and-duct-tape Alaskan Way Viaduct — complete with vehicles.

"I love this type of work," said David Barber, of the PSSC team. "You get to step back at the end of the day, look at your project, and say 'Wow, I did that myself.'"

The Construction Challenge was divided into three challenge competitions.

• Challenge 1 - design and build a visual display/presentation that raises awareness about an infrastructure issue (roads, bridges, water, and sewage) and demonstrate its impact on your local community and show how the same type of infrastructure issue impacts an international community.
• Challenge 2 - design and build a machine from a box of assorted materials to do specific functions in a small amount of time. (If you saw the movie Apollo 13 where the astronauts had to build an air-scrubbing device from the materials the astronauts had on–board, you’ve got the picture.)
• Challenges 3 - troubleshoot a problem with a machine and rebuild it to proper specifications. Two student service technicians located offsite, equipped with two-way radios, had the specifications and service manuals while the other students examined the machine and described the situation and problems. They then performed the necessary tasks to make the machine fully operational as communicated by their student counterparts.

These challenges focused on critical analysis, communication, punctuality, research, and teamwork - the same issues faced in the construction industry on a daily basis.

The regional event was held at the Master Builders Association in Bellevue Washington, under the direction of Sue Z. Hart, northwest regional coordinator. The students from PSSC were sponsored by the Master Builders through Executive Director Cathy Feole who said, "Construction has long been underrated as a career. These are well-paying jobs."

Ivars Graudins, manager of labor-market information for the state Department of Employment Security, sees a construction industry that is down but not out — and with this big advantage: "It pays a living wage without the need for a university degree."

Even apprentices in the building trades make $17 to $18 an hour on average, and journeymen with five years' experience can earn $30 an hour on average.

This year, layoffs in the construction trades go well beyond seasonal swings, state statistics show. But some experts are predicting that while construction is drying up now; by the time these students are ready for a career, there will be jobs for them.

Ken Pierson,construction technology instructor at PSSC, sees eight retirees for every new recruit to the construction trades. "There are great career possibilities in this field, especially for women right now," he said. "We need every single graduate out there."

PSSC and the student team members are looking for corporate, community, and individual sponsors to help defray the cost of attending the competition in May. Sponsors will be recognized for their support of our students and PSSC, locally and nationally. If you can help, please contact Ken Pierson at 206.631.7311.

See photos and more of this story in the Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008719912_construction08m.html

The event was also featured in the Bellevue Reporter: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/community/39263654.html