Contact: Kristi Pronovost
Director of Marketing & Communications
(717) 653-8106 or kristi@abckeystone.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manheim, Pa, July 12, 2021— During the week of June 14-18, 2021, 12 female students from Lancaster County attended a week-long summer camp at ABC Keystone’s training facility in Manheim. The All ‘bout Construction (ABC) Girls Camp (grant-funded by the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board), was a first-ever program offered by the Chapter and provided the students with the opportunity to meet with female construction industry leaders in addition to visiting jobsites of local contractors and learning beginner trade skills. During the week, the campers used the knowledge and training they gained to create their very own steampunk-themed, lighted charging station.
Over the course of the five days, this team of bright young women worked together as a team while discovering the career opportunities that the construction industry provides. They were taught basic safety skills, blueprint reading, electrical wiring, carpentry, plumbing, and more under the guidance of ABC Keystone’s apprentices, instructors, members, and staff.
“As we focus our attention on inclusion, diversity and equality, we really wanted the focal point of our inaugural camp to be females from ages 14 to 19,” said Stephanie Larkin, ABC Keystone’s vice president of education, safety and workforce development. “We’re always looking for new ways to share our industry with the next generation.”
ABC Keystone thanks the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board for their support, camp attendees, members, guest panelists, apprentices, instructors, and staff for making this inaugural camp a success. The campers discovered that Careers in Construction are open to all, and the educational and career pathways allow for travel in many directions to lead to fulfilling and sustaining careers.
ABC Keystone is committed to building awareness of the opportunities in the industry, and next year, the Chapter hopes to expand the camp’s outreach into the surrounding counties of ABC Keystone’s 11-county footprint. Learn more about the Chapter’s workforce development initiatives, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship at www.abckeystone.org.
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The Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) is a construction trade association based in Manheim, Pennsylvania, representing over 500 construction-related firms and nearly 25,000 employees. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 69 chapters nation-wide help members win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. Visit us at abckeystone.org.
