Sun-Sentinel/Plantation Forum, Nov. 2008

Mentoring program available at Plantation High

Current Builders, one of South Florida's largest construction companies is sponsoring the National ACE Mentoring Program at Plantation High School. ACE's mission is to enlighten high school students on career opportunities in architecture, construction and engineering, as well as construction trades, through mentoring. In return, the industry gets a much-needed boost of new talent.

During the program, students are introduced to the various design professions and the role that each performs in planning, designing and constructing a project. Students also gain firsthand insight into the design industry by touring project offices and visiting active construction sites.

The mentors meet with students during the school year approximately 15 times. The students also meet with their school mentors weekly to develop their year-end final presentation - a Request for Proposal. The students build their projects from conception to design, including estimating and cost control. Throughout the year, students will be working on their year-end presentation and will be competing against each other and other schools for scholarship opportunities.