Lane the Loader™: Inspiring the Next Generation of Skilled Trades Professionals through Books
Lane the Loader™ is more than just an initiative—it’s a movement designed to spark interest in the skilled trades among young minds. From preschool classrooms to community colleges, Lane has delivered construction-themed books to students of all ages, inspiring curiosity and fostering a deeper appreciation for the trades. Whether it’s a single book for a first-grade class or 500 books for an entire elementary school, Lane the Loader™ ensures that students have access to engaging, trade-focused reading materials.
How Sponsorship Works
When you sponsor a load of construction-themed books, you have the flexibility to decide where and to whom the books will be delivered. Whether you want to donate to a specific classroom, an entire school, or a community organization, Lane the Loader™ makes it happen. If you have a particular book or skilled trade focus in mind—such as introducing young girls to careers in construction—we’ll curate, the selection to align with your vision. Lane’s book offerings extend beyond traditional trades, incorporating fields like architecture and design to showcase the vast opportunities within the industry.
Every book selected is thoroughly reviewed to ensure it meets educational and quality standards. Our range of titles is extensive so that listing them all would be impossible! For example, when an elevator company sponsored a load, we sourced construction-themed books specifically about elevators for a first-grade classroom. The variety and specificity of books we discover continue to amaze us.
Who Supports Lane the Loader?
Many companies and individuals across the country have joined the effort by sponsoring book loads. Notable supporters include:
– Muter Construction
– Hood Construction
– Harper General Contractors
-Sanford Contractors
– JM Cope Incorporated
– Trident Construction
– Crowder Constructors
– Edison Ford LLC
– Fessler and Bowman
– Wayne Brothers
– Key West Group LLC
Beyond corporations, families and individuals from various states have also stepped up to support the cause. Sponsorship is not limited to the Carolinas—this initiative has gained nationwide traction!
How It Works
1. Choose Your Sponsorship Level – Visit our website to select the number of books you’d like to sponsor.
2. Receive Confirmation – Within 24 hours of your sponsorship, you’ll receive a thank-you email and a few questions to determine:
– Where you’d like the books delivered.
– Whether you’d like to select specific titles or let Lane the Loader choose.
3. Book Delivery – Every book is hand-delivered (except for two loads so far), ensuring a personal touch. Even large donations, like the 500 books distributed in Yancey County following Hurricane Helene, were delivered in person.
4. Dedication Label – Each book features a dedication label inside the front cover, recognizing the sponsor’s contribution.
Books have been donated to schools, libraries, classrooms, shelters, children’s museums, hospitals, daycares, foster care programs, and more. It’s heartwarming to see children recognize construction equipment from their own communities, reinforcing a tangible connection between reading and real-world experiences.
Introducing the Lane the Loader™ Kit
In addition to book sponsorships, we now offer the Lane the Loader™ Kit an interactive package designed to introduce young learners to the skilled trades.
Each kit includes:
– Lane the Loader activity books & crayons
– Lane bags
– Tabletop stand-ups of Lane
– Floor stand-ups of Lane
– A variety of construction-themed books
Some general contractors have even started creating construction book displays in their lobbies and at project sites, especially when working on school libraries. Lane the Loader™ has become a strong advocate for skilled trades, particularly in North and South Carolina, but its impact is spreading far beyond.
Join the Movement
Sponsoring books is easy—simply visit our website, choosing your level of involvement, and we’ll handle the rest while keeping you informed every step of the way. Whether you want full control over book selection and delivery locations or prefer to let us manage the details, we’re here to make the process seamless.
Every book sponsored brings us one step closer to inspiring the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Join us in making a difference—one book at a time!
Dr. Caroline Brigmon is Director, Education, Training, & Workforce Development for Carolinas AGC. She can be reached at cbrigmon@cagcfoundation.org.
