An industry group is trying to make trades and construction jobs more attractive to high school leavers, and they’re starting early.

The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) launched a program in Calgary schools this week, aiming to reach 30,000 elementary students in 850 classrooms.

The group’s boss says time is running out.

“Now probably more than ever, most high school students may not have decided what they’re going to do, they’ve often decided what they’re not going to do,” Bill Black told reporters Thursday.

“Construction has kind of gained this stigma of being a bit of a second- or third-rate career. You need a four-year college degree if you want to be somebody. So it’s very late in their cycle of thought and their parents’ thought cycles, to introduce the idea of ​​careers or positions related to the industry.

Black said the CCA funded Alberta’s newcomer program, Honor The Work, through contributions from members.

This program, co-founded by Angela Coldwell, has its roots in Ontario schools.

Coldwell, a former high school teacher, said it’s about thinking outside the box.

“We want kids to be able to imagine themselves in a variety of different career paths,” she said.

“We know they learn through play. We learn faster through play, but we also cultivate a variety of life skills, like troubleshooting and problem-solving, collaboration, negotiation.”

The content of the program might surprise some.

“We teach kids a lot of skills that are general, but related to the curriculum,” Coldwell said.

“They also learn structures, standard and non-standard measurements, and fractions.”

The Calgary students liked what they saw.

Evan is eight years old and enjoys group work.

“We work as a team, even though we’re just two people,” Evan said.

“It’s just fun.”

Nine-year-old Arya began working in a group on a model railway project.

“Very difficult,” she said.

“I just came up with an idea. I put Legos on the sides so he could move forward, etc.”

Meanwhile, Black says Calgary is just the beginning.

“We would like to see this happen in Edmonton, Red Deer and Medicine Hat. We believe this program is a relevant way for the industry to achieve this.