The ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentor Program of America, the nation’s only design and construction industry-sponsored mentorship program for youth, is collaborating with STEM Premier, the first online platform solution that helps students design a career pathway, educators recruit top talent to their schools, and employers develop a stable, continuous talent pipeline.
“The collaboration will offer ACE students expanded access to resources to assist in their pursuit of careers in architecture, engineering, and construction,” commented Thomas Gilbane, Jr., Chairman of the Board, ACE Mentor Program, and Chairman & CEO, Gilbane, Inc. “Students will be able to find assistance connecting to colleges as well as real-world opportunities and continue to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) -related careers.”
“ACE Mentor Program is proud to partner with STEM Premier to offer ACE students–especially those under-represented in STEM–greater resources and more direct paths to opportunities within the architecture, construction, and engineering fields,” stated Jack Kalavritinos, President & CEO, ACE Mentor Program of America. “STEM Premier’s innovative on-line platform connecting students, educators, employers, and other stakeholders will help ACE’s thousands of students and alumni bridge gaps they may encounter designing career pathways to in-demand, well-paying careers.”
Expanding student access to STEM education is an issue of great importance in an increasingly global economy, where job growth in STEM fields promises to be critical. Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce issued a recent STEM report projecting 2.4 million job openings in STEM nationally through 2018. The report also stated that a STEM education has an impact beyond STEM-related fields, stretching across the entire U.S. job market and industries.
“Seventy percent (70%) of students completing the ACE program enter college studying an industry-related major. Many are from underserved populations,” stated Tony Guzzi, ACE Vice-Chairman of the Board, and President & CEO, EMCOR Group, Inc. “With a presence in over 200 cities, ACE annually involves 2,200 design and construction professionals who mentor approximately 8,000 high school students during a 40-hour after-school program.”
“ACE attracts growing numbers of students who want to reach beyond textbooks and understand real world applications of their studies. Scores of ACE alumni have returned to mentor new generations of students,” commented Peter Davoren, ACE Vice-Chairman of the Board, and President & CEO, Turner Construction Company.
“ACE is a leading example of a successful private-sector solution to a critical workforce development challenge,” said John Welch, CEO of STEM Premier. “STEM Premier is honored to offer a service to ACE students that will be a key tool in helping them actively promote their accomplishments, as well as a tool for institutions of higher education and corporations to connect with those students.”
The collaboration between STEM Premier and the ACE Mentor Program aims to help ACE students build their individualized brand. Through STEM Premier, students can create an electronic portfolio that showcases their STEM knowledge, skills, and abilities. Colleges and companies can promote their programs and opportunities, view individual student profiles, and connect directly with them at an earlier age for recruitment.
To register for the ACE program, become a mentor, or find a local chapter, visit www.acementor.org.
About the ACE Mentor Program
The ACE Mentor Program of America was founded in 1994 by the principals of distinguished design and construction firms under the leadership and guiding force of Dr. Charles H. Thornton. Its mission is to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and to support their continued advancement in the industry. ACE’s 62 affiliates in 32 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico organize 2,200 mentors to deliver a 15-session after-school program to almost 8,000 students. ACE’s sponsors include many of America’s leading companies in the design and construction industry. For more information visit: www.acementor.org.
About STEM Premier
STEM Premier is the first online solution that assists students in designing a career pathway, educators in recruiting top talent to their schools, and employers in developing a stable, continuous talent pipeline. STEM Premier is a subscription-based, multi-channel network connecting academic institutions, corporate partners, and government agencies to a pool of qualified STEM talent in the U.S. and global markets. For more information, go to: www.stempremier.com.
