Created in 2024, the NPCA Foundation’s College to Career Mentoring Initiative (C2CMI) has quickly become one of its signature programs. The initiative is designed to connect scholarship students with experienced leaders in the precast industry through meaningful, one-on-one mentoring relationships that bridge the gap between education and the workforce. Through C2CMI, students gain direct access to industry professionals who can help them explore careers in precast and better navigate their educational journeys.
This school year marks the program’s second year, with 11 students currently participating in mentoring partnerships. One of those students is German Laiton, a senior at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. German is paired with Alex Burkhart of Easi-Set Worldwide, and the two have now worked together for two semesters.
“Working with Alex has helped me better understand the different ways I can apply my civil engineering background within the precast industry, especially beyond traditional design roles,” German said. “Our conversations about logistics, transportation and project coordination have given me a much clearer picture of how precast projects come together from production to installation.”
For students, one of the most significant benefits of mentorship is access to firsthand industry knowledge. Through regular meetings with their mentors, students gain insight into plant operations, project management, quality control, innovation and leadership in the precast industry. Mentors are able to share lessons learned from years of experience, helping students avoid common pitfalls and better prepare for the transition from classroom to career. The initiative also helps students expand their professional networks early in their careers, creating connections that may lead to internships and future job opportunities.
Mentors also find the experience rewarding. Serving as a mentor provides the opportunity to give back, help shape the next generation of industry professionals and strengthen the future workforce. Engaging with students can also bring a fresh perspective, helping mentors stay connected to emerging trends and technologies.
With a new class of scholarship students coming out this spring, the Foundation is always on the lookout for more industry professionals interested in serving as mentors. To learn more or volunteer, please reach out to the foundation at foundation@precast.org.