Teens Learn About Working in the Trades at the Prefabrication and Tool Center
June 18, 2025 – Lakewood, CO — Earlier this month, Encore Electric welcomed 12 girls to the Prefabrication and Tool Center in Aurora for the annual Career Week for GIRLS™. This initiative, created by the HOYA Foundation and Transportation and Construction GIRL, is an opportunity for girls aged 13-20 to see what it’s like to work in the construction and transportation industry.
“It was great to see so many young ladies interested in getting into the trades and testing their skills. This is our fourth year hosting the TCG event, and it continues to get better every year. Even from the morning to the afternoon – you can see these young ladies get more comfortable asking questions and even bending pipe,” said Sam Kallsen, Encore Electric director of Virtual Design Construction (VDC) and prefabrication. “We hope to see them join the Encore team in the future!”
During their visit, the girls participated in hands-on activities like conduit bending and the Encore Learning and Mobile Escape Room (ELMER) where they wired three outlets, a light fixture, a fan, and a two-way switch. The group also toured the 67,000 square-foot Prefabrication and Tool Center and saw where important jobsite components like lights, panels, and switchboards are built.
Throughout the day, Encore Electric apprentices and journeymen shared their experiences working in the construction industry and answered questions about what their day-to-day tasks look like. Among the apprentices was Emily McFadden, who just a few years ago was in the shoes of the career week girls. In 2023, McFadden visited Encore Electric through Career Week for GIRLS™ and was so inspired by her day at the facility that she chose to pursue a career in the electrical industry and is now advancing through the apprenticeship program at Encore Electric.
“I thought Career Week for GIRLS™ was so much fun and it was so interesting being on the other side of that and seeing how much the Encore Electric program has changed since I went through it three years ago. And I’m so thankful to have been a part of something that can change lives,” McFadden said.
A wide range of career paths at Encore Electric were introduced to the girls. While a majority of Encore Electric teammates work in construction, there are many other roles outside of being an electrician. To highlight the wide range of career opportunities in the trade, team members from various departments, like recruiting, risk management, information technology (IT), human resources, marketing, and accounting spoke with the girls about their roles and career paths.
“We emphasized the vast number of opportunities available to them – 189 unique job titles at Encore alone – as well as highlight that there is no ‘right’ career path. Of equal importance, the girls also learned that they are not limited to doing one role for the rest of their career.” said Emily English, Encore Electric service coordinator. “I hope that the girls learned that career progression and transitions can be pursued not only at Encore, but anywhere they work.”
“It was a joy to see so many women from across our company come together to share with young women about the company and industry we are all passionate about! I was inspired by the stories and energy of these amazing women I have the pleasure of working with and I hope that the young women enjoyed learning about the diversity of roles – both in the field and in the office – available in the construction industry. I look forward to calling them peers one day,” said Stephanie Warren, Encore Electric controller.
Encore Electric has proudly partnered with Transportation and Construction GIRL since 2018, and this marks the fourth year the company has opened its doors for Career Week for GIRLS™. The week plays a vital role in showing the next generation that they belong in this industry and have a future in one of these careers.
“Traditionally, kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, but as a society, we don’t thoroughly show what different jobs are really like day-to-day, nor do we connect individual skills and interests to specific roles. We made a point to do both with these girls, and I hope it broadens their minds as they consider the paths they wish to take. Certain industries like ours have historically employed substantially more men, but that is changing for the benefit of women as well as the field,” English said.