KELSO — Construction trade unions participated in the Cowlitz Wahkiakum Construction Fair Sept. 26 at the Cowlitz Expo Center. The fair, in its fourth year, was hosted by Kelso High School and drew approximately 1,200 students from Cowlitz, Wahkiakum and Clark counties.
The fair is designed to introduce students to careers that they might not otherwise be familiar with. Some of the union crafts displaying their wares were Operating Engineers Local 701; Plumbers and Fitters Local 26; the Oregon and Southwest Washington Mason Trades Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee; the Washington and Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers and Local 335; Cowlitz Fire Department; IBEW Local 48 and the National Electrical Contractors Association Training Center; Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1, and the Washington State Labor Council.
Union signatory contractor JH Kelly donated hard hats, eye protection and safety vests for every student that participated in the fair.
“This was an amazing community effort that had a huge impact on our high school students who took advantage of such a great opportunity,” said Mollie DuBois, a career specialist at Kelso High School and event organizer.
