MAVA Colleagues,
We are pleased to share this exciting summer professional development experience by Assabet College and Career Counselor Maki Faria through the AGC MA Building Advancement Externship!
David
John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC
PR for
Assabet Valley Counselor Learns About Commercial Construction Through Building Advancement Externship
Assabet College and Career Counselor Maki Faria participated in a week-long professional development externship to learn more about the commercial construction industry.
MARLBOROUGH – Superintendent Ernest F. Houle is pleased to share that Assabet College and Career Counselor Maki Faria participated in a week-long professional development externship to learn more about the commercial construction industry.
Faria was one of 13 educators and academic leaders from across the state selected to participate in the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts’ (AGC MA) third annual Building Advancement Externship (BAE) from Aug. 14-18.
Attendees took part in meeting and class exercises designed to connect the classroom directly to the construction industry. Externs received an overview of field training and safety programs, as well as detailed instructions regarding project management and industry innovations. They met with leadership at local firms including Erland Construction, Bond Brothers, and Colantonio, Inc., as well as toured active job sites in the area.
“Seeing the construction of a building seems to be background noise in our lives; it’s something that we see daily and don’t give much thought. As a result of the BAE Program, I have a great appreciation for the details, technology, creativity, and problem solving that go into the entire process,” said Faria. “I will never take for granted the passion each member firm spoke with as they shared their journeys into the commercial construction industry. The industry clearly is making a huge cultural shift away from its stereotypes and investing in its employees.”
The BAE program also helps externs establish mutually helpful partnerships with their schools, students, and construction leaders seeking to bring talented young people into their workforce.
Faria hopes to pay forward the passion that was shared with externs throughout the week-long program to Assabet students. She would like to inform students of the various entry points into the construction industry regardless of their chosen technical program, including apprentice programs for the trades, assistant project managers, purchasing agents, project engineers, safety coordinators, estimators, and even marketing.
The cohort of externs was also asked to provide draft lesson plans and evaluations to improve the program for future cohorts.
“Congratulations to Maki on her participation in the AGC MA Building Advancement Externship,” said Superintendent Houle. “This program is highly regarded among vocational schools across the State, and we are very proud that one of our own was able to take part in this week of learning. We can’t wait to see what knowledge you bring back for our students!”
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira