South Side Students Gain Hands-On Experience at Obama Center with Lakeside Alliance

Lakeside Alliance, in partnership with the carpenters’ union, hosted an interactive workshop, offering students mentorship and career exposure in carpentry, engineering, and construction at the Obama Presidential Center (Photo Credit: Nicole Joseph). On a recent Saturday, high school students from the South Side of Chicago had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore careers in the construction industry.& Lakeside Alliance, in partnership with the carpenters’ union, hosted an on-site workshop at the Obama Presidential Center construction site, offering students hands-on experience in carpentry, engineering and construction. Grouped in pods, students worked closely with union carpenters, learning about career pathways and receiving mentorship from industry professionals. The interactive workshop allowed them to ask questions, receive personalized instruction and build items for use on-site, giving them invaluable exposure to real-world construction work. Photo Credit: Nicole Joseph Lakeside Alliance is committed to creating a more diverse workforce by exposing youth to career opportunities in the construction industry. This ongoing initiative provides education and mentorship and aims to address the industry’s labor shortages by equipping the next generation with the skills they need to succeed. As the Obama Presidential Center builder, Lakeside Alliance is focused on building community and creating change. The joint venture between Powers...