Last week students from our Building Construction programs (PCSD now operates three building construction programs for students at Palatka Jr. Sr. High School, Interlachen Jr. Sr. High School, and Crescent City Jr. Sr. High School) had the exciting opportunity to visit the Laurelton Job Site operated by Vallencourt Construction in Green Cove Springs, Florida. During the field trip, students experienced firsthand what it’s like to work on a large-scale construction project and learned about the many careers that keep a site like this running smoothly.
One of the highlights of the visit was the chance to operate heavy equipment – including an excavator, a bulldozer, and a massive dump truck. One student, upon descending the excavator said, “This is what I want to do and experiencing this equipment is so cool.” Another student, as he finished his time on the bulldozer, was approached by the “dirt crew” foreman who told him, “I would hire you tomorrow. Have you done this before? You did excellent work on that machine.”
Students toured the active work site, observing crews as they installed manholes and fire hydrants. One of the tour guides, the Safety Foreman for the Laurelton Site, explained safety regulations, precautions, and practices at each station students visited.
In addition to seeing the work in action, students learned about the engineering and planning that go into every phase of construction. Terms like “GPS,” “measurement,” “check and recheck,” were spoken over and over again by the foreman showing us the site.
Supervisors explained how retention ponds are used to manage stormwater and demonstrated how they are dug. Students gained insight into the importance of proper piping, pipe fittings, and installation techniques to prevent leaks and ensure safety from a crew that has laid pipe for 12 years without a single leak.
Throughout the visit, Vallencourt Construction supervisors and foremen shared their personal career stories, many of which began in entry-level positions. They emphasized how dedication, motivation, and a strong work ethic helped them move quickly up the ranks within the company. Many of them started with the company right out of high school and worked to move up, something Vallencourt is known for.
Vallencourt Construction is a family-owned company with deep roots in Northeast Florida. It traces its origins back to 1945 when founder Francis E. (Val) Vallencourt borrowed money from an uncle to buy his first Ford tractor and began clearing land. Over time, the scope of the business expanded: clearing led to grading, then asphalt paving and underground utility work. The company built its reputation on values such as fair pricing, finishing jobs on time, and honouring commitments. In recent years, the company broadened its services to include heavy site work, infrastructure, and full-scale underground utility installation and in the process expanded their workforce from 500 to more than 800 employees and growing. They also expanded their service area covering job sites from Palm Coast to Savannah, GA. To find out more about Vallencourt Construction, click here.
The visit gave students an engaging, real-world look at the construction industry and the skills, teamwork, and determination it takes to build the infrastructure that supports local communities. It also showed students a myriad of opportunities in the construction industry that exist right in their own back yard!! To see more pictures of this great trip, click here.
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