A regional summer camp hosted in Corpus Christi recently gave middle school and high school girls from South Texas and the Coastal Bend the opportunity to receive instruction plus an introduction to construction career fields.
On July 17, Bechtel Energy and the Craft Training Center (CTC) in Corpus Christi concluded its second and final summer session of Camp Build It at the CTC. Camp Build It is a free summer construction camp which aims to give middle school and high school girls an introduction to careers in the skilled trades.
This was the second annual Camp Build It, according to the Craft Training Center, which was a partnership between Bechtel and the CTC. During the course of the camp, a news release from the CTC said 60 students from all around South Texas and beyond gained hands-on experience in welding, pipefitting, and electrical installation while learning directly from women working in construction and the skilled trades.
That participation more than doubled from last year, according to the CTC.
“Camp Build It opens the door for local middle and high school girls to discover exciting, in-demand careers in construction,” Bechtel Energy Engineering Planning and Strategy Manager Brittany Kaplan said. “By connecting students with female craft professionals and providing hands-on experiences, we’re helping them see that these careers are not only attainable — they’re full of opportunity, growth, and purpose.”
The camp had students coming from Portland, Sinton, Aransas Pass, Port Aransas, Odem, Rockport, as well as some traveling all the way from the Houston area.
“Partnering with Bechtel for an all–girls Camp Build It is something we’re especially proud of,” Craft Training Center President Wayne Kelly said. “This hands–on experience has the power to inspire, empower, and truly change the trajectory of young women as they discover exciting careers in the skilled trades.”
The annual camp is open to students across the Coastal Bend, and officials said the opportunity to introduce students to skilled trades is invaluable. In addition to the hands-on training, the release said students also toured Bechtel’s Corpus Christi Liquefaction (CCL) Stage 3 project site — giving students a firsthand look at large-scale project delivery and the opportunities available within the industry.
“Camp Build It is more than just a summer camp — it’s a launchpad for future careers in construction,” Bechtel CCL Stage 3 Site Manager Justin Baker said. “By helping middle and high school girls explore the industry today, we’re opening pathways to meaningful careers on projects, like the CCL Stage 3 megaproject, while reinforcing Bechtel’s commitment to our communities and to developing the next generation of skilled craft professionals.”