Construction Careers Center Graduates 50

Family, friends, educators and construction industry leaders packed the Harris-Stowe State University auditorium June 26 to support the 50 members of the fourth graduating class of the Construction Careers Center High School.

Ten of the graduates will continue their education at the college level, either two or four -year institutions pursuing construction related careers.  Fourteen of the graduates are preparing to enter the workforce or apprenticeship programs with the operating engineers, bricklayers, laborers, electricians and carpenters.  

Scott Wilson, President, S.M. Wilson with the CCC Salutatorian, Gabriella Fields.  She is currently employed at S.M. Wilson as an intern in project management and will study engineering this fall at SIU-Edwardsville.

Two graduates recognized for outstanding achievement during tonight's ceremonies are Gabrielle Fields and Bryant K. Williams.  Miss Fields was the youngest intern ever to work for S.M. Wilson, and has been accepted to the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville School of Engineering. "I knew that if I worked hard, and set goals for myself, the Construction Careers Center would provide me a solid foundation for a future career," said Miss Fields.  "I will always be grateful not only for the education and the skills I acquired, but for the support and encouragement of the teachers and staff who never let me lose focus of my goals".

Bryant Williams' academic career at the Construction Careers Center was highlighted by making exceptional scores on two academic assessment examinations utilized by the construction and related industries.  Bryant has been offered a position with AmerenUE upon graduation.

The Class of 2008 is the fourth to graduate from the CCC, the first charter high school in the nation dedicated to preparing young people for careers in the construction industry. The school was founded in 2001 by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis to help bolster the quality and availability of skilled construction professionals and trades-people in the St. Louis region.
The CCC provides a four-year, fully accredited high-school-level curriculum and broad exposure to the construction industry and relevant vocational educational preparation. The school's construction curriculum is specifically designed by the industry to prepare students for direct employment, apprenticeship training, a community college or a four-year degree institution.  The school graduated its first class of seniors in 2005.

 "The Construction Careers Center exists to provide solutions to some pressing problems facing the industry," said Rich Ledbetter, CCC board president. "The first is to offer these young people critical academic and life-skills they will need to succeed as adults, and the second is to help to fill a need for skilled construction industry workers."

"The AGC is so proud to see another group of outstanding young people graduate from this one-of-a-kind institution that has prepared them so well for a rewarding future in the construction industry," said Leonard Toenjes, AGC president. "Our goal, when we started the school was to develop an avenue to re-supply the workforce while diversifying it, and I am pleased to say these graduates truly are the faces of the Industry's future in St. Louis."

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