Planning to visit the Construction Zone at the NW Youth Careers Expo? Prepare for NOISE.  The Construction Zone is a big, energetic place where students can learn about careers and apprenticeships while also trying out everything from 3D printers and virtual painting to classic tools.

In the Construction Zone, students can talk with people who work at some of Portland’s leading architecture and design firms, such as Oh planning+design, one of our Platinum sponsors. You’ll also find plenty to talk about with representatives of Bassetti Architects, Mahlum Architects, and Opsis Architecture.

See our full list of Exhibitors | Printable Design & Construction Sector Flyer

Students can also mingle with employees of the city’s top construction & development firms. Standouts in the zone include: Andersen Construction, CBRE | Heery, Emerick Construction, Fortis Construction, Hoffman Construction, Howard S. Wright, JE Dunn Construction, OEG, Inc., Oh planning+design, Associated General Contractors/Build Oregon, Portland Community College’s Apprenticeship and Trades prorgam, Pacific NW Carpenters Institute / PNW Council of Carpenters, Pence Construction, Performance Contracting, Inc., Turner Construction, Skanska, Walsh Construction Co., and more!

Many of these firms are also involved with one of our other exhibitors, the ACE Mentor Program, a 13-week, in-depth mentorship program for Portland metro-area students interested in the industry.

Several leading unions will be there as well, including Operating Engineers Local 701 and the Laborers Training Trust of the Local 737, both platinum sponsors this year. That’s a great way to learn about jobs and career paths.

Students can further explore educational paths to great engineering jobs. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers will also be at the Expo, as well as many other organizations that can give students the inside scoop.

Check out our Exhibitor page for additional printable flyers in technology, manufacturing, construction and creative careers. You can also visit our Expo HQ.

The nonprofit Portland Workforce Alliance works year-round with businesses in every sector to provide career-learning opportunities for high school students. Research shows that students who have the opportunity to learn about careers while they are in high school are more likely to graduate, continue their education and find satisfying careers.