Allegan County students are getting the chance to learn what it’s like to work in the skilled trades without ever leaving their high school.

Developed by the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights in Wayland, the “Schools to Tools” mobile field trip features virtual reality and hands-on activities let students experience for themselves what it’s like to work in the industry.  

“As part of our partnership with the Carpenters and Millwrights Training Center in Wayland, we’ve been able to bring the Schools to Tools Mobile Field Trip to some of the high schools that Allegan Area ESA serves,” said Beth Johnston, career development specialist. “The mobile field trip gives students an opportunity to investigate the skills trades, try their hand at some of the skills, and talk with people that have good jobs in the trades.”

The mobile field trip is housed in a semi-tractor trailer and includes virtual reality welding and 360-degree VR views of a live construction site. There are also augmented reality exhibits and skill competition areas.

The trailer is currently making the rounds of high schools in Allegan County, including Plainwell, Wayland, Martin and Fennville.  

The goal of the “Schools to Tools” program is to provide a comprehensive understanding of post-high school options that empowers students to make informed decisions and ultimately find their career paths.  

Ms. Johnson added “This fits in well with our plan to show students the four paths to a career: apprenticeship, college, military and workforce.”  

More information about career development can be found on the Allegan Area ESA website. More information on the “Schools to Tools” program is available at schoolstotools.org.

The Wayland Carpenters and Millwrights Apprentice Training Center is a state-of-the-art, 57,000 square foot training facility occupying 19.5 acres on U.S. 131. The facility allows for cross-training between Carpenters, Floor Layers, and Millwrights, equipping workers with unique hard and soft skills to successfully take on any project.