ADAIR VILLAGE - What sounded a little like a construction site in Adair Village was the sound of young people exploring a possible career path.

"We've got to get everything ready for tomorrow," said Nathan Olson, as he prepared to put together a 63-by-60 inch platform using a hammer and nails. "That's when we're pouring the concrete."

Olson, a senior at College Hill High School, is one of 10 local high school students participating in a pre-apprenticeship program this week hosted by the Oregon & Southern Idaho Laborers Training Center.

Six College Hill and four Corvallis High School students are participating. Many will return to the center for another week in late March to receive more training and finish the projects they started this week.

This is the second year that the center has partnered with the Corvallis School District to host the pre-apprenticeship training, which offers high school juniors and seniors a real sense of what it would be like to work in the construction industry.

While Olson and CHS senior Zack Griffith were putting together platforms on Wednesday, student Jenny Green, a senior at College Hill, was digging a footing and building a form. Cement will be poured into it today. In March, a wall will be built atop the solid foundation.

Green, who participated in the program last school year, said she enjoys using her hands to produce something tangible - even if the work is physically demanding at times. She said she plans to enter the construction field after she graduates.

"I think the biggest thing we have learned is how to work together as team," Green said. "Some of us didn't even know each other and for three days we have been working together."

However, the program isn't all about physical labor. Students spend their mornings receiving classroom instruction. Monday, students earned their safety certifications; Tuesday, they worked on their math skills. After all, being able to measure yards, calculate volume and understand fractions is crucial to producing a solid final result.

"I think the hardest part for most of the students is having to be in the classroom," said Despina Saroglou, an instructor with Oregon & Southern Idaho Laborers Training Center. "They are so gung-ho and want to get out and start working."

Saroglou assigns the students practical homework. For example, the students were responsible for determining how much concrete would be needed to fill the form.

Despite the sore muscles and homework that comes with the program, Olson said he now is seriously considering construction as an option once he graduates from high school ... but he still has a first career choice to explore.

"It's a very good program ... " Olson said. "I'd definitely take a look at (this industry) - if I can't get into the music business right away."

Raju Woodward can be reached at 758-9526 or raju.woodward

@lee.net