POWERGRAMS

EDUCATION N atalie Burton knows, 100 percent positively, that she wants to go into construction. That's a bold assertion for a 16-year-old girl, but after spending a week at Girls CAN Construction Camp, Burton feels confident she can handle that career. "I want to do drafting, architectural design and construction," said Burton, who plans to attend the Career Academy Program at the Shelby County School of Technology this fall. "I want to travel and build houses for people who don't have them, working with charities such as Habitat for Humanity. I want to help people, and that's how I'll do it." Burton learned about the annual camp during her sophomore year at Oak Mountain High School. On June 10-14, she was among 14 high school girls attending the program in Columbiana. Burton and the other girls received an overview of the training and skills needed for the electrical, carpentry, welding, and drafting and design fields. Plant Gaston Electrical and Instrumentation Journeymen Antraun Glenn and Kevin Walker joined Plant Auxiliary Bobbie Jo Bannick, Protection and Control Technician Kelli Bell and Mechanic-Welder Mike Coker as instructors and mentors. Walker said the interaction with students was very positive, because the girls left knowing they could accomplish the tasks. "There's a lot to be said for being able to use wire crimpers and cutters, wire strippers and pliers," Walker said. "We guided the campers and demonstrated how to use tools in the right way, looking at the drawings and connecting the wires to make a lamp. I'm proud all the lamps worked." Graduates received certificates. Technical Services Vice President Kim Flowers attended the final day of camp, greeting students and their parents. She hopes the training opened the girls' eyes to other educational options. "We believe in this camp," said Flowers, who wants her 9-year-old daughter to have similar job opportunities. "We believe that girls should be able to find a pathway to their passion. The construction industry is booming, and there are tremendous dollars planned in investment by the utility industry, refining and other industries. The Southeast has lots of growth ahead, and there will be lots of opportunities for women in the future." Angele Monconduit, Plant Gaston maintenance manager, said there are many women in Generation who "blazed great trails" ahead of her, serving as mentors throughout her career. Since earning her civil engineering degree at the University of PAGE 6 Photos by Dawn Taylor Camper shows off crafts she made welding. Camp shows girls they CAN do anything Employees assist camper using drill. Evansville in Indiana, Monconduit has worked at four Southern Company electric generating facilities. "The opportunities are endless," Monconduit told students. "When you think about what you've done this past week, you've had a good look at the type of skills needed. For every job you're interested in at our facility, you can get the training and have the ability to be successful. There are great jobs in construction that provide lucrative careers." A Plant Barry team helped sponsor a Girls Can Camp at the George Bryant Career Technical Center in Irvington, near Mobile. Several employees helped introduce 19 eighth- and ninth-grade girls to construction careers, centering on skills needed for the electrical, carpentry, welding and pipefitting fields. Welders Feleshia Williams and Tonya Byrd helped the girls learn welding basics. Employee Development Coordinator Dawn Taylor said it's important for girls to learn about nontraditional career choices. "These are good-paying jobs," Taylor said. She said many students aren't aware that skilled craft jobs offer competitive salaries, with pay that is often above the starting salaries for jobs that require a four-year college degree. "We tell students if they're open to these careers and get the proper training, they'll have great opportunities waiting for them," said Tom McNeal, Workforce Development Specialist - Technical Services. "The sky's the limit." By Donna Cope

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