MARQUETTE — The Upper Peninsula Construction Council is seeking high school students to participate in innovative training programs for the summer and upcoming school year.

Current high school juniors around the UP are invited to register for Construction Connect UP for 2024-25. The Upper Peninsula Construction Council, in collaboration with UP Michigan Works and local education agencies, developed this skill-based, earn-and-learn program to serve as an effective transition from school to career.

The program runs during the school year from September through April.

Each CCUP student will be assigned to a signatory contractor on a construction site Mondays through Thursdays for two hours during the school day, based on the student’s schedule. Students earn $13 an hour.

To qualify, students must at the time of the program’s start:

– Be a high school senior at least 17 years of age

– Be enrolled in a certified CTE Program

– Have a driver’s license or in process, and reliable transportation

– Pass a drug screen

Registration is open until April 1.

The UPCC is also taking applications for its Building Trades Summer Camp, which will be held from July 8 – Aug. 14 in Iron Mountain.

Building Trades Summer Camp gives high school students a six-week introduction to construction activities. Students are paid $12 an hour for the duration of the camp, mirroring the earn-while-you-learn structure of union apprenticeships.

To qualify, students:

– Must be 14-17 years old and an incoming high school freshman – senior

– Must be within a 45-minute drive of Iron Mountain

– Must have reliable transportation

Every student who applies will participate in resume writing and interview skills workshops provided by Michigan Works. After the workshops are completed, applicants will be interviewed and the finalists selected. Once hired, students will participate in a financial literacy workshop. Students also must participate in a safety workshop with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration before stepping onto the construction site.

“CCUP and the Building Trades Summer Camp show students there are great career opportunities after high school they can achieve without going into debt,” UPCC Executive Director Mike Smith said. “They can earn and learn right out of high school.”

Students can apply for the Building Trades Summer Camp here. Registration is open until April 26.

Trades participating in the Summer Camp include International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 1011; Operating Engineers Local 324; Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 2; UA Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Local 111; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 906; Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 7; Ironworkers Local 8; Boilermakers Local 169; Laborers’ Union Local 1329; and Carpenters and Millwrights Local 1510.