About, Mission, & Vision
Doorway2Construction is a K–12 through postsecondary pipeline that prepares students for education, apprenticeships, and careers in construction, architecture, engineering, and the skilled trades. The program revitalizes vocational learning by making it hands-on, relevant, and connected to real industry pathways. Through academics, project-based learning, and mentorship, students gain confidence, technical skills, and career readiness.
- Mission – To empower students to design, build, and lead through construction-driven learning that supports academic success and workforce readiness.
- Vision – To inspire future builders and community leaders who strengthen families and local economies through skill, innovation, and service.
What Makes Doorway2Construction Unique
A Pathway With Purpose
We use the world of sports to teach students about construction.
What makes Doorway2Construction unique is how it uses the energy and excitement of sports to spark learning. Just as sports build teamwork, discipline, and determination, this program channels those same qualities into education. Students quickly see that the skills they use on the field—leadership, focus, resilience—are the same skills that help them thrive in the classroom, on a job site, and in college.
Sports become a bridge, drawing students in while they explore real and meaningful career pathways.
Across the pipeline, students are introduced to the full world of design, engineering, and construction. Through hands-on, age-appropriate projects, they apply math, science, and technology in ways that feel relevant and exciting. They learn to problem-solve, collaborate, communicate, and gain exposure to the careers that shape their communities. Most importantly, they are surrounded by positive role models who help them make strong, informed decisions about their futures.
The Impact
Doorway2Construction pipeline students have gained technical and leadership skills, confidence, and vision to succeed in any path they choose.
They are better prepared for the challenges of college, apprenticeships, or the workforce, and they understand the real-world value of their education. With the excitement of sports as its spark and the strength of community partnerships, Doorway2Construction is preparing a new generation of builders, designers, and leaders who will shape the future of our communities.
Program Tiers & Ciriculum
The curriculum across all tiers incorporates design, green architecture, urban planning, engineering, teamwork, and construction fundamentals. It is aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning in language arts, math, science, social studies, technology, and visual arts, ensuring that every project strengthens academic achievement as well as practical skills. Doorway2Construction also includes a point-based incentive system, allowing students to earn recognition for participation, teamwork, essays, projects, attendance, and good grades. This approach motivates students to stay engaged and reinforces values of determination, discipline, and hard work.
A-B-C of Construction
Tier 1: Foundations (Grades K–3)
At the entry level, children are introduced to the basics of construction through playful, hands-on activities. They experiment with shapes, tools, and simple building materials, connecting what they learn in class to the built environment they see every day.
Teachers and youth leaders are provided with enrichment materials aligned to Virginia’s Standards of Learning, making it easy to connect construction concepts to reading, math, and science. This stage helps children develop curiosity, confidence, and teamwork while laying the groundwork for more advanced exploration.
Build Up
Tier 2: Explore (Grades 4–6)
As students enter the middle grades, they join Build Up, a club that brings construction alive through weekly after-school sessions. Guided by teachers, volunteers, and industry mentors, students tackle design and model-building challenges, explore environmentally friendly building practices, and take field trips to construction sites.
They also hear from guest speakers and participate in job shadowing opportunities. These experiences show them the wide variety of careers available in construction and homebuilding, while teaching teamwork, leadership, and responsibility.
YES 2 IT
Tier 3: Skills (Grades 5–9)
YES 2 IT introduces students to the world of skilled trades. Through engaging, hands-on activities, they gain experience in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, masonry, and HVAC. They also hear directly from tradesmen and women in their community, learning not only the skills but also the pride and value of working in these careers.
Parents and educators are active partners at this stage, building a supportive network and helping change the perception of trade careers. Students come to see that these pathways offer stability, opportunity, and respect.
Construct Your Future
Tier 4: Pre-Apprentice (Grades 7–10)
At this level, students step into a more rigorous and engaging environment that prepares them for real career choices. They rotate through architecture, construction, engineering, and trade disciplines, working on projects that build technical skills and problem-solving abilities.
They are exposed to green building practices, urban planning, and project management while also learning about safety, leadership, and teamwork. Construct Your Future is where many students begin to see themselves as future architects, builders, or engineers, and where mentorship relationships with industry professionals start to take hold.
Blueprint to Success Mentor Program
Tier 5: Launch (Grades 11–12)
The final stage connects high school juniors and seniors directly with professionals in the design and construction industries. Through mentorship, job shadowing, and real-world projects, students experience what it means to work in architecture, engineering, and construction management. They are guided through the process of preparing for college, apprenticeships, or immediate employment, and they showcase their growth through capstone projects.
Blueprint to Success makes a special effort to reach students who may not otherwise be exposed to these opportunities, giving them the tools and relationships they need to launch their careers.
Program Components
The Lunch N’ Learn Series provides students with a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders in a relaxed, non-formal setting while sharing a meal. These semi-monthly sessions are hosted by rotating partner companies in construction, architecture, and the trades. During each event, students hear directly from professionals about career opportunities, academic preparation, and life skills. The purpose of the series is to give young people firsthand exposure to industry role models, inspiring them to consider future pathways in the building and construction fields while fostering meaningful professional relationships.
The mentoring program allows industry professionals to make a positive difference in the lives of young people by showing them clear, achievable paths forward. Mentors provide guidance either in person or virtually, offering advice on academics, career choices, and personal development. This program is especially impactful for students who may be at risk of disengaging from school, helping them see a light at the end of the tunnel. By hearing real stories and connecting with diverse role models across the construction industry, students begin to understand that long-term goals are possible and that education is a vital step toward achieving them.
Guest speakers from the construction, architecture, and trades industries share their career experiences and insights with students through in-person visits, videoconferencing, and teleconferencing. These sessions cover both the technical aspects of their professions and the personal stories of their career paths. To strengthen the school-home connection, the program also hosts Parent Socials, where families are invited to meet industry professionals, ask questions, and learn alongside their students. At these events, students’ projects and accomplishments are showcased, giving them the opportunity to present their work to peers, parents, teachers, and industry guests. The event concludes with a luncheon provided by business sponsors, allowing for one-on-one conversations between students, families, and industry leaders.
Technology extends the program’s reach by allowing students to connect with industry experts and peers across different regions. Through videoconferencing, students can collaborate on projects, participate in panel discussions, and learn from global leaders in construction and related fields. These virtual connections broaden students’ horizons and highlight the worldwide relevance of construction and skilled trades.
Internships provide high school students with valuable opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Each year, students are placed with partner companies in construction, architecture, or related trades. These experiences deepen their understanding of the industry, allow them to develop professional skills, and prepare them for responsible roles after graduation. Internships also give students a competitive edge in the workforce or when applying for apprenticeships and college programs.
The Try-a-Profession event is an interactive career fair where students can test their skills in a variety of trades. Stations are designed to be hands-on and engaging, allowing students to try activities such as measuring and cutting materials, reading blueprints, laying brick, or experimenting with green building techniques. Parents are encouraged to attend alongside their children, creating an opportunity to explore career paths together while speaking directly with professionals recognized as leaders in their trades.
Site visits give students a firsthand look at how construction projects and companies operate. Guided tours of job sites, workshops, and facilities allow students to meet with professionals, observe daily operations, and ask questions in an age-appropriate way. These visits enhance classroom learning by showing students the realities and responsibilities of careers in the construction industry.
Research consistently shows that students achieve more when families are actively engaged in their education. Doorway2Construction encourages family and community involvement at every stage, inviting parents, local businesses, and community organizations to participate in program activities. These partnerships strengthen academic achievement, increase career awareness, and reinforce the message that education and career preparation are shared responsibilities.
An essential component of the model is professional development for teachers and school staff. The program offers ongoing workshops, training sessions, and curriculum coaching, led by experienced educators and industry professionals. Teachers receive the tools and support needed to integrate construction-related learning into their classrooms while aligning with state standards. This professional development ensures the program is sustainable and impactful across schools and communities.
Teacher Training
An essential component of the model is professional development for teachers and school staff.
The program offers ongoing workshops, training sessions, and curriculum coaching, led by experienced educators and industry professionals. Teachers receive the tools and support needed to integrate construction-related learning into their classrooms while aligning with state standards.
This professional development ensures the program is sustainable and impactful across schools and communities.
The Thirt13n Way
Bringing Back Vocational Education
At Thirt13n, we’re changing that narrative. We bring vocational education back in a fun, positive, and inspiring way — helping youth rediscover the pride, creativity, and opportunity within skilled trades. Through engaging, hands-on learning experiences, we help students fall in love with the process of building, creating, and contributing to their communities, transforming vocational education into a pathway of purpose, not punishment.
Partner With Doorway2Construction
Help us empower students with the skills, confidence, and real-world experiences they need to succeed in construction, design, engineering, and the trades.