RESTON, VA — Bechtel recently hosted Camp Build It at the Knox County Career Center.
The camp is a free, multi-day construction event that brings together high school girls ages 14–18 from across the region for hands-on training in welding, pipefitting, electrical, and carpentry.
Bechtel craft professionals provide mentorship, helping expand awareness of opportunities in the construction industry.
Throughout the week, students gained practical experience in a safe, supportive environment using industry-standard equipment and personal protective gear provided by Bechtel. Campers also connected with women working in construction, hearing firsthand about career paths and opportunities in the industry.
The camp concluded with a tour of a large-scale construction project in the region, where participants saw active work sites firsthand and connected with local trade and union representatives to learn more about career pathways after high school.
While women represent a significant portion of the U.S. workforce, they remain underrepresented in construction roles, accounting for roughly 10 percent of the industry.
At Bechtel, women make up nearly 30 percent of the company’s U.S. workforce, reflecting a continued focus on expanding access and opportunity. Programs like Camp Build It are designed to help address that gap by providing earlier exposure to the trades and clearer visibility into construction career pathways.
For Bechtel, the camp reflects a broader effort to expand access, build awareness of construction careers, and help address workforce needs across the industry.
“Programs like Camp Build It are about building early interest and exposure, so more young women can see themselves in the trades and better understand the opportunities available in construction,” said Chris Bresson, project director.
“Expanding that exposure is important to strengthening the future workforce while supporting the communities where we live and work.”