More than 50 companies participated in this year’s Grade 13 event, part of Careers in Construction, an organization promoting careers in the trades industry, and 70 high school students from Southwest Washington were interviewed for jobs

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

It essentially was a job fair, but it seemed like so much more as dozens of the top high school seniors in Clark County met with dozens of leaders in the trade industry Friday at Hudson’s Bay High School.

Grade 13, an event organized by Careers in Construction, introduced 70 of the top trade skill students in the region to more than 50 companies looking for young employees.

Last year, Grade 13 had 30 students. Of them, organizers said all 30 were offered jobs, and 26 accepted. The other four went on to trade school or college.

This year, the event grew from 28 companies to 52, and to 70 students.

Liam Nash, who recently finished third in the state in the Skills USA competition for electrical wiring, said it was amazing to have the opportunity to meet so many professionals in the field. 

Taking a course as a freshman at Hudson’s Bay High School changed his life.

“I had no clue what electrical was. I just got into the trades class,” Nash said of his introduction to the trades. “It sounded like a fun elective to do.”

Soon, he was hooked.

“I’m good at this. I like this. It’s something I can learn,” Nash recalled. “It just really grew on me.”

A few years later, he proved to be among the best seniors in the state at electrical wiring. 

On Friday, he was looking for opportunities beyond high school — which is why this event is called Grade 13. Nash wants to find an electrical apprentice program.

All of this started with that course at Hudson’s Bay.

“I wouldn’t have gone down this path if I hadn’t been in that class,” Nash said, noting that the trade classes have grown at his school from 60 students to more than 100 in his time there.

“We’re going to competitions. People are getting hired into real-world jobs right after high school,” Nash said. “It has given me so many opportunities.”

Evergreen senior Christian Perez grew up watching his dad and uncles excel in the world of construction. Perez came to Grade 13 looking for a summer job or an internship before he heads to Central Washington University.

“Seeing (my dad and uncles) kind of motivated me to get into that field,” Perez said. “I also wanted to get an education after high school. So I thought, why not combine both worlds and get a degree in construction management?”

He said the trade skills teachers at Evergreen are always encouraging students.

“One-hundred percent, it can change lives,” he said of taking classes in the trades.

Robert Mariante, a senior at La Center High School, said he was still trying to figure out his plans after high school.

“I want to find choices,” he said of his motivation at Friday’s Grade 13 job fair.

Mariante shines in the field of carpentry.

“I just find it fun, and I like working with my hands,” he said.

Grade 13 is part of Careers in Construction, which started in 2021 when Jon Girod, owner of Quail Homes, met with school leaders from throughout Southwest Washington. The Careers in Construction’s mission is to work with local schools to increase student participation, advance facilities, curriculum, and networking so that students can obtain quality jobs in the building industry upon graduation. 

Girod also used to be an assistant football coach at Hudson’s Bay and at Fort Vancouver. He worked daily with high school students.

“We got kids to graduate, but they weren’t job ready, and then they got in trouble,” Girod recalled.

He wanted to find a way to help. As a member of the building industry, he figured he could try to get schools to help solve a problem within the industry: the workforce is aging out. The industry needs young, motivated, skilled workers. 

These days, many campuses around the county have opened or will be opening new skills centers.

In fact, Friday’s event was held at the new Endeavor Technical Trades Building at Hudson’s Bay. Last year’s event was held at Royal Oaks Country Club.

“It’s priceless. Instead of talk, people realize what we’re doing,” Girod said. “If you see it, you believe it.”

Investing in the skills trades at an early age can pay off dividends.

“It gives us a chance to introduce this new space, and it’s an opportunity for our kids and our district,” said Mark Wreath, director of Career and College Readiness for Vancouver Public Schools. (For the purpose of this event, an emphasis on Career, he said with a laugh.)

“To have this event, which is focused on the construction trades, and in a new, state-of-the-art construction facility, just seems to make a lot more sense,” Wreath said.

Jeff Snell, the superintendent of VPS, also showed up to the event, along with administrators and teachers from schools from all over the region.

And, of course, the more than 50 companies looking to hire.

Wreath was impressed by the turnout. 

“This is people meeting people to develop talent,” Wreath said.

For more on Careers in Construction, go to: https://careersinconstructionswwa.org/