ACE Mentor Program of America- Contributing to the Construction Industry Workforce

Published by Billy Afghan at October 26, 2018

ACE Mentor Program of America- Contributing to the Construction Industry Workforce

Oct 26, 2018

For the past year, it has been my honor to sit on the advisory council of the ACE Mentor Program. ACE helps young students by inspiring them to pursue careers in design and construction. The program provides annual internship opportunities for about 9,000 students in 37 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. There are about 3,600 mentors who work with students, of which two-thirds are from minority and underserved populations, and more than one-third are female.

I feel strongly that ACE’s program can help increase a company’s pipeline in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction, where the labor market is tight. JMJ sponsored ACE’s program for two years now. Students participate in design challenges through national competitions and can be awarded scholarships for their design work. In fact, since 1994, ACE has awarded $15M+ in scholarships.

While attending ACE’s spring meeting at the end of April in Washington, DC, I had the pleasure of meeting a woman named Andrea Stalker, who has been a mentor for young men and women in the industry for many years. I was most impressed with her influence on at-risk high schoolers--she reaches out and helps students create a vision for themselves for their future that they wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. As an example, one of her favorite mentees had an early inspiration to be a professional BMX rider when she met him. She mentored this student and helped develop his love for architecture. He graduated college and is making incredible contributions to the field now. She was moved to get involved in ACE to changing lives of young people.

I also met another extraordinary mentor, Nadene Taylor – who was equally inspirational. Her smile and energy lit the room! She shared how she had no role models who looked like her in any of the industries which ACE promotes. She brought the story alive by her example as a mentee. Nadene closed the loop full-circle as an ACE alumnus, and wow, that was quite inspiring and touching as well!

It's easy to find ACE regions and affiliate programs located across the US—see how you can grow your pipeline by hiring an intern, who has a curiosity and drive to learn about a career in design and construction—from contracting and engineering to architecture and landscaping.

Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this exciting program too? Visit the ACE Mentor Program and see for yourself what the possibilities are to change the life of a young person who wants to pursue a career in architecture, construction or engineering.

http://www.acementor.org/affiliates/

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Billy Afghan Author

Billy Afghan joined JMJ in 2007 and brings 24 years of industry leadership in environment, safety, and health. Billy is responsible for partnering with senior leaders of our global clients to implement strategies for transforming their organizations into places where people flourish. She focuses on building strong relationships that lay the foundation for breakthroughs in how work gets done in the world.