On Thursday, Jan. 22, a group of students from Cascade and Pacific Academies had the opportunity to go to Northwest College of Construction. 

The first stop for the group was a deep dive into the types of apprenticeships and certifications students could earn. There are about a dozen apprenticeships available to students in fields such as carpentry; roofing; brick masonry; concrete finishing; tile setting; and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Students can also earn certifications to learn how to drive a forklift, become a project manager or supervise a construction crew. 

Haley, an education engagement coordinator for the college, walked students through their options, talked about how much money each position typically earns and took questions. 

A student experiences what it's like to operate heavy machinery. Photos by Tami Frame. 

The students toured the building and had the chance to see the welding room, the warehouse and the college grounds, which feature various student projects. 

At the end of the tour, students took turns using a simulator to learn what it's like to operate heavy machinery.

"They had such a great time," says Tamra Frame, a youth transition specialist at Pacific Academy who coordinated the trip. 

A student experiences what it's like to operate heavy machine on a Deere simulator.