News Summary
DPR Construction’s Build Up High School Internship program in San Francisco empowers high school juniors and seniors by providing them with immersive experiences in the construction industry. Launched in 2017, the program promotes diversity and inclusion, targeting low-income students and offering them hands-on training in project management. Participants gain skills, earn competitive wages, and many return as college interns. DPR aims to expand the program to reflect local communities and build a skilled workforce for the future.
San Francisco: DPR Construction’s Build Up Internship Program Empowers High School Students with Industry Experience
In San Francisco, DPR Construction has been actively investing in the future workforce through its Build Up High School Internship program, which provides high school students with direct exposure to the construction industry. Since its launch in 2017, the program has become a notable model for promoting diversity and inclusion within the sector.
Program Overview
The Build Up internship is an eight-week, paid program tailored for high school juniors and seniors. It offers participants a comprehensive introduction to construction management, project planning, and industry-specific technology. During the internship, students gain hands-on experience working full-time at job sites, earning competitive hourly wages that support their educational and personal development.
Participation and Demographics
Throughout its history, more than 160 students have participated in Build Up. The program particularly targets students from families that meet HUD low-income standards, including many who are first-generation college-bound students. Currently, 75% of these interns identify as potential first-generation college students. Notably, nearly half of the interns are young women, addressing a common gender gap within the construction field and promoting greater inclusivity.
Skills Development and Educational Exposure
Participants in the Build Up program develop a broad set of skills essential for success in any professional environment. Alongside technical training in project management software such as BIM 360, CMIC, HammerTech, and Primavera, interns learn critical business skills including communication, teamwork, and time management. A key component is a final presentation, which helps enhance public speaking abilities and the capacity to manage a project from inception to completion.
Real-World Construction Experience
Interns are introduced to safety procedures on construction sites and have the opportunity to engage with innovative construction technologies. They manage and observe multi-million-dollar projects, gaining familiarity with industry-standard tools and processes which prepare them for future careers in construction or related fields.
Program Impact and Outcomes
Since its inception, more than 22% of Build Up participants have returned to participate as college interns, and some have gone on to join DPR Construction as full-time employees. The program has served as an effective launchpad for students’ careers in construction, fostering mentorship, building confidence, and encouraging exploration of various roles within the sector.
Community and Organizational Commitment
Community Initiatives Leader at DPR, Diane Shelton, highlights the program’s focus on enhancing diversity within the construction workforce, emphasizing the importance of reflecting local communities in the industry’s workforce. The program actively promotes inclusion and aims to expand participation by reaching more underrepresented students.
Personal Success Stories
Participants such as college student Selome Muruts exemplify the program’s long-term impact. Muruts transitioned from a Build Up intern to a college intern studying civil engineering, demonstrating how the program aids in increasing access to higher education and technical careers.
Future Directions
DPR Construction remains dedicated to expanding the Build Up initiative, with ongoing efforts to include diverse communities and provide educational opportunities that build a skilled, confident future workforce. The program’s design emphasizes reflecting the communities where DPR operates, ensuring that the industry benefits from a broader range of talents and perspectives.
The Build Up Internship program exemplifies a proactive approach to workforce development, combining education, real-world experience, and community engagement to shape the next generation of construction professionals.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
North Carolina Ranked Best State for Business
Construction Industry Faces Significant Workforce Shortage
Additional Resources
- DJC: City News on DPR Construction
- DJC: Another News on Construction
- Arup: Early Careers Internships
- Turner Construction: Careers
- Wikipedia: Construction Industry
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