DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) – Students in Danbury are getting a major head start in a career in construction.

It’s not every day that students can work right alongside professionals in their field of choice. Henry Abbott Technical High School students are not only working alongside them at the Carpenters Union Hall in Wallingford, but they’re also joining them.

“For the first time we have a group of technical students from Abbott Tech being part of our partnership program and really get more exposure to what the commercial construction industry is doing,” said Miguel Fuentes from North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.

Some of the students have already been accepted into the union. Gina Barriere is one of them and she hopes to start her own remodeling company someday. This is a step towards that dream.

“Being a woman in trade, it’s a little scary but you’ve got to have confidence and I have a lot of confidence so I feel like I’m going to do pretty well,” Barriere said.

Students walked in every day knowing it was not just a regular day in the workshop. They’re learning real-life skills alongside team leaders they could work with someday.

Senior Nate Greene sees this as a real opportunity to grow.

“I believe doing this is networking because I’m going to apply and try to get into college, play college football, but still be in the union. Work here in the summer,” Greene said.