Building confidence with construction

By The Coffee Shops®.

Hands-on trade education is giving young women the skills and confidence to see construction as a possible career path.

Programs that introduce young people to construction can do far more than simply teach them how to use tools. In a recent Roofing Road Trips® episode, Megan Ellsworth spoke with Mindy Dahlquist, business development manager for TRA Snow and Sun, about how the Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls is helping middle and high school girls explore the skilled trades. For Mindy, one of the camp’s central goals is showing participants that they are capable of succeeding in unfamiliar environments. “Just because you are a girl does not mean that you are limited in the job world,” she said.

That message is reinforced during the Monday-through-Friday camp experience through its workweek structure. Participants begin with fundamentals such as hammering nails before moving through architecture, framing, house wrap, roofing, masonry, electrical work, siding, plumbing and drywall. They also work in teams to build mock structures and practice communication.

The transformation Mindy sees during the week extends beyond technical ability. “They show up the first day, they're not talking to each other, they're not talking to anyone else. And by the end of it, they're asking questions, they're curious,” she said.

Mindy knows firsthand how even basic trade knowledge can strengthen confidence. Reflecting on the agricultural education she received in school, she said learning skills such as basic welding, woodworking and small-engine repair made a lasting difference. She shared, “Although I may not know every detail of that specific topic, I still feel confident to know the basics of it. And that's been a game changer.”

That confidence is ultimately at the heart of the camp. Whether participants eventually enter the trades or take another path, they leave with tangible experience, greater curiosity and a clearer understanding of what they can do.

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about building confidence through hands-on trade education.