At ESCO Electric, investing in the next generation of skilled trades workers has always been a priority. This spring, we’re proud to partner with Linn-Mar High School on a hands-on construction project that gives students the opportunity to learn in a real-world environment while gaining exposure to careers in the skilled trades.
As part of the partnership, ESCO Electric relocated a shipping container to Linn-Mar High School that students in Residential Construction and Metals classes are transforming into a fully functional construction jobsite office. Located directly outside the classroom, the container creates an on-campus environment where students can gain practical experience using the same skills and processes found on active jobsites.
Students in the Metals class are cutting openings and welding steel plates for windows, doors, and HVAC components, while Residential Construction students are framing the interior, insulating walls, installing drywall, and building custom interior finishes. With guidance from ESCO Electric, students are also gaining exposure to electrical installation work including outlets, switches, lighting, and wiring practices.
ESCO Electric provided the materials for the project, allowing students to complete the work as part of their coursework while experiencing the collaboration and coordination required on a live construction project. Once completed, the container will be used by ESCO Electric as a mobile construction site office.
The idea for the project came from Galen Lantermans, Account Manager at ESCO Electric and a member of the district’s Career & Technical Education Advisory Committee. During conversations, Galen recognized that ESCO Electric would have already invested in purchasing a fully outfitted jobsite office container for company use. Instead, the partnership created an opportunity to turn that investment into a meaningful learning experience for students while still accomplishing the same end goal.
“Projects like this help students see the wide range of opportunities available in the skilled trades while giving them valuable hands-on experience,” said Galen Lantermans, Account Manager at ESCO. Not every student’s path after high school looks the same, and it’s important that students understand there are rewarding careers outside of the traditional four-year college route. The trades offer opportunities to build a strong career, work with your hands, continue learning, and make an impact in your community.
For many students, exposure to careers in construction, electrical work, welding, and other skilled trades can be limited before entering the workforce. Partnerships like this help bridge that gap by allowing students to experience the industry firsthand while still in high school. Students are not only learning technical skills, but also developing teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and project coordination experience that directly translates to future careers.
As workforce shortages continue to impact the trades industry nationwide, creating opportunities for students to explore these career paths early has become increasingly important. ESCO Electric believes giving students real-world exposure helps them make informed decisions about their futures and demonstrates that success after high school can take many different forms.
Beyond the immediate impact for students, the partnership also highlights what could be possible for the future of career-connected education in the community. The hope is that projects like this become a foundation for additional opportunities — whether that means Linn-Mar continuing the program and selling completed units to reinvest funds back into its skilled trades programs, or other local businesses stepping forward to create similar partnerships that benefit students while supporting workforce development needs.
The possibilities are endless when education and industry collaborate with a shared vision.