The Shelby County College and Career Center hosted their annual “Girls Can Construction Camp” June 6-11 for 15 girls ranging from eighth to tenth grades. The camp offers instruction in the various skills used in the construction industry, where the jobs are not typically filled by female workers.

The girls spent a full day in each program learning skills in carpentry, plumbing, welding, and electrical.  On Friday, they attended a field trip/job site tour of Alabama Power’s E.C. Gaston Electric Generating Plant

The Girls Can Construction Camp helps to dispel the myth that women can’t be successful in the construction industry by teaching the students the necessary job skills while also exposing them to successful women who are employed in many different construction related fields.

The girls spent a full day in each program learning skills in carpentry, plumbing, welding, and electrical. On Friday, they attended a field trip/job site tour of Alabama Power’s E.C. Gaston Electric Generating Plant before returning to the school for a celebration lunch and project presentation tour.

The camp was led by Tom McNeal from Alabama Power.  The courses were taught by Shelby County College and Career Center instructors Van White (carpentry) and Lynn Miller (welding), who were assisted by various instructors from Alabama Power, Southern Company, Alabama Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board, and United Rentals.  The students also heard guest speakers from the College and Career Center, Alabama Power, Southern Company, and Go Build Alabama.

While attending the camp, the students constructed a high-legged Adirondack chair, a sprinkler, a Star Wars themed lamp with LED disco bulb, and a myriad of very creative welding projects.

“We were able to host 15 girls at the camp this past week and it was amazing,” said McNeal. “In our seven years, this was our best group of girls and five of them expressed interest in signing up for the electrical or welding programs at the school!”

Sponsors of the camp this year were:

• Alabama Power
• Go-Build Alabama
• McAbee Construction
• Magnus & Company
• Day & Zimmerman
• United Rental