The third session of O&G Builds at Norton Elementary School in Cheshire gave students an inside look at the wide range of career paths that support a major construction project, from communications and workforce development to high-tech modeling and on-site coordination.
Students heard from four members of the O&G project support team, each offering a unique perspective on the skills and teamwork needed to bring their new school to life.
Eliza Baron, Marketing & Communications Manager and self-declared “storyteller of O&G,” shared how communications plays an important role in construction. She explained how she supports the project team by documenting progress, highlighting milestones, and keeping employees and the community informed through newsletters, social media, press releases, and the company website. Eliza spoke about how telling the story of a project helps honor the work of the teams involved and strengthens the connection between O&G and the communities they serve.
Beth Dupont, HR & EEO Officer, talked about the people side of construction, from recruiting new employees to supporting existing team members. She explained how she identifies talent, helps build strong and diverse project teams, and ensures employees have the resources they need when challenges arise. Beth emphasized that construction is a people-driven industry, and the success of any project depends on hiring, training, and supporting the right individuals.
Jim Hendrickson, MEP Coordinator, broke down what it means to coordinate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems on a project like Norton Elementary. He explained that a big part of his job is solving problems — making sure pipes, ducts, wires, and equipment all fit together without conflict. Jim shared his personal career journey, describing how he spent a year in college before going into the trades, eventually working his way into a leadership role that combines technical knowledge with daily, hands-on problem-solving.
Nick Castler, VDC Manager, explained how his work connects closely with Jim’s. Using BIM (Building Information Modeling), Nick creates detailed 3D models containing every component of the project, from walls and beams to ductwork and wiring. He showed how VDC (Virtual Design & Construction) uses those models to plan, coordinate, and detect issues before construction begins. To bring this to life, Nick treated the students to a VR demonstration that allowed them to walk through a virtual version of their future school, seeing firsthand how digital modeling shapes the project they see taking form outside their classroom windows.
Across all four presentations, two themes stood out: teamwork — because no single role can build a school alone, and problem-solving — a skill used every day across every role.
Students then took a tour of the active construction site with Jim and Superintendent Brian Pracuta, who pointed out ongoing MEP installations and showed how the work they saw in the VR model translates into real physical construction. Back at the project trailer, the group watched a short video explaining BIM and VDC, helping solidify what they had learned.
As always, the sixth graders impressed the team with their thoughtful questions, curiosity, and enthusiasm. Notebooks filled with notes and minds buzzing with ideas, they left the session with a deeper appreciation for the collaboration and innovation behind building their future school.
Stay tuned for next month’s update as the Norton School O&G Builds journey continues, and students keep discovering the many skills and careers that make construction happen.
