Las Animas Elementary Students Learn Skills in a Job Shadow Program

Joe Six of Six Star Construction takes part in a job shadow program because he is from the Las Animas area and wants to see improvements in the community.

"I also find a huge honor and pride in this, um, I'm born and raised in Las Animas, I had a little bit of a rough childhood, of my own making so sharing my wisdom with these guys and seeing that that have an interest in it, just, it makes me a very happy person."

(Joe Six, pictured middle, chats with customer Chad Taylor about the work on his home while Las Animas sixth grader Kayden Marlow listens)

Twelve-year-old Kayden George Marlow tagged along with Joe to a jobsite of a total renovation of an 1890s farmhouse on the historic Santa Fe Trail in Bent County. Kayden explained that he was required to research careers and formulate some questions he had before selecting a career to shadow.

"And then after this we write a bunch of stuff and do some stuff in school about it, but that's it, yeah."

There are fewer and fewer people learning to work with their hands.

"We're a dying breed, for every five guys who retire from construction only two enter the field," Joe stressed the importance of students continuing in the trades.

It's the third year that Joe has taken part in the job shadow program.

Six says he's always looking to hire people who want to learn the trade and will train anyone willing to work hard.

Six Star Construction is owned by Joe Six and is based in Las Animas, Colorado.

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