MIDLAND – Lisa Tarkington, founder and executive director of Self Love Beauty, will kick-off Build Like a Girl with a mini-workshop on confidence. Build Like a Girl, hosted by the Greater Michigan Construction Academy (GMCA), Associated Builders & Contractors Greater Michigan (ABC) and LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction), is set for 5:30 PM on February 27 at the Great Hall, 5121 Bay City Road, Midland.

Learning about opportunities in construction is a barrier to girls because statistically, boys are more prone to look to careers in construction. ABC Greater Michigan, GMCA, LOGIC, and all participating booths want to break this barrier and give girls the confidence required to join a male populated industry.

Confidence is one of the most vital skills for anyone to have. When we have more self-confidence, we have the ability to reach our full potential, Tarkington said.

“This brief workshop is designed to equip participants with skills to enhance their confidence and foster positive self-talk. Attendees will leave with practical tools they can immediately integrate into their lives to boost their confidence,” she added.

The purpose of Build Like a Girl is to introduce young women, in grades five through 12 to career opportunities in the construction industry. Participants will hear from local employers, influential women in construction, and multiple training providers to gauge if a career in construction would be a great fit. This unique workforce development program is aimed to help empower young women to step into roles they may have not otherwise chosen. The objective is to educate young girls of lucrative STEM careers in the construction industry. Contractors and suppliers will offer hands-on activities, they will learn about the education needed, how to gain confidence in this male dominated industry and will gain insight from women who are in the industry through a panel discussion.

This event is made possible through sponsors including: Dow; Alloy Construction Service, Inc.; Niles Plant Services; Spence Brothers; Three Rivers Corporation; Valley Electrical Contractors, Inc.; Windemuller; Bierlein-Trombley Electric; Blasy Electric, Inc.; and Jolt Credit Union.

See ABC’s website (https://www.abcgmc.org/events/build-like-a-girl/) for details, more information and to register for this exciting event. If you would like to have a booth, reach out to [email protected] for more information or register on ABC’s website.