<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0b84BF_1Gxi76Aq00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0b84BF_1Gxi76Aq00" width="813" height="500" ></figure>On Friday, Nelson County’s UP Center hosted the second annual Build UP Community Day bringing together community partners and students to showcase future opportunities.Last week, The UP Center brought middle school students from Nelson County and beyond to Bloomfield Middle School for their Build UP Day. BMS is home to the Build UP program, which includes the Heavy Equipment Sciences pathway for high school students.More than a dozen community partners spoke to students about their work in electrical, construction, welding, carpentry and more. The UP Center’s career and technical education programs also showcased the opportunities afford to them as they look toward high school.Scott Thompson, Heavy Equipment instructor, said the community day is to show all of the middle school students, including those in Spencer and LaRue County, the career possibilities available to them. Thompson said allowing students to have hands-on experiences, see the work and ask questions is a new opportunity for many — and one they might have never gotten before.“Some kids have maybe seen a piece of equipment sitting on the side of the road or on a job site, and they’re able to get up close to it,” he said. “Now we’re able to get them up to where they can check out the equipment, touch it, ask questions, and think about what they want to do as far as a career path.”Kelsey Berryman, Director of The UP Center, said it was great exposure for students. She said many of the community partners, local businesses and careers are things she wouldn’t have known existed when she was their age. Berryman said it’s exciting to show kids these careers exists and many exist in their own community.Last year, the school’s Build UP Community Day was hosted at the Nelson County Fairgrounds. This fall, Berryman said they’re having it on one of their own campuses — a place where students explore their future career field every day.“We’re really also telling the story of not only can you do this in your future, but you could do it next year here on this campus with this program,” she said.In a year, the community day has also grown its number of partners, with 15 giving students new experiences. Seven of the school’s programs also had a presence at the event, allowing current students to share their skills and experiences to potential peers.On Saturday, The UP Center invited families to come see the work their students do and the many opportunities that are only a few years away. Berryman said not only would it reinforce what middle schoolers want to do, but may also expose the program to elementary age students, branching out to younger students.Mike Wallingford, Safety Director with Flynn Brothers Contracting, said it’s important for them to partner with programs like The UP Center to give young people a pathway to a successful future. Wallingford said they’ve worked closely with Thompson and are always willing to donate hardhats or safety vests for the students to use.Wallingford said it has been good to get their crews out and teach students about things they would see at a job site. Friday and Saturday’s community day gives younger students a similar experience with the ability to ask questions.Nathan Cox, co-owner of County Line Tree Services, was lifting students up in his bucket truck all throughout the day. Cox said it’s the role of those in the trades to show students there are pathways other than a traditional four-year degree. He said his industry is one that provides many options and one that has afforded him the ability of continuous learning.“We’ve been helping donate things, time, moving equipment and materials for them, giving them opportunities to use some of our equipment if they need to,” he said. “And then materials that they need to show kids how to do, you know, certain jobs, roping, rigging, stuff like that. It’s been great working with the kids and just seeing their minds open and exploring other opportunities as far as a career in their life.”</div></body>

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On Friday, Nelson County’s UP Center hosted the second annual Build UP Community Day bringing together community partners and students to showcase future opportunities. Last week, The UP Center brought middle school students from Nelson County and beyond to Bloomfield Middle School for their Build UP Day. BMS is home to the Build UP program, which includes the Heavy Equipment Sciences pathway for high school students.

Nelson County build UP community

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On Friday, Nelson County’s UP Center hosted the second annual Build UP Community Day bringing together community partners and students to showcase future o

Nelson County build UP community

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