DETROIT – Construction contracting company Sachse Construction uses virtual reality to get Metro Detroit children and young adults interested in working in skilled trades.
It’s part of a new skilled trades career center unveiled Thursday (March 14) in Junior Achievement’s Finance Park.
Finance Park in downtown Detroit allows youth to learn firsthand what it’s like to buy a car, get insurance for that car, make investments, pay bills, and now work in skilled trades.
“We know there’s lots of opportunities in the skilled trades and exposing children to all those different pathways is really what this is all about,” said Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan president and CEO Jason Lee.
Sachse Construction’s corner in the program might look small, but it contains a wealth of information.
“You can see a project under construction, you can see the different cross sections and materials, but then you can experience it virtually,” said Todd Sachse, CEO of Sachse Construction. “Put on the glasses in a virtual setting, and you can be a plumber, carpenter, or painter, and you almost play like a game where you’re doing the work and measuring.”
There are QR codes, too, that lead to information on what it takes to have those jobs, how much money a person can make, and the different career levels, along with video interviews with people working in that industry.
The program at Finance Park is for middle school-aged children and young adults.
People like Deana Neely, founder and CEO of Detroit Voltage, which contracts electricians, believe this is an exciting way to spotlight opportunity.
“There is not only a shortage locally, but there’s also a national shortage that’s why something like this is so helpful because we need electricians, we need them badly we need that young skill and talent,” said Neely.
It’s not just electricians companies are looking for; according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, skilled trades positions account for about 47,000 annual job openings in our state through 2028.
Junior Achievement is hosting a free event at Finance Park on April 20 to educate more families about the program.