Hundreds of local high school students explored careers in the skilled trades Thursday during Construction Career Day, hosted at the former Party City building on Villa Point.
The event, organized by the Home Builders Association, brought together industry professionals from a wide range of fields, including electrical, HVAC, concrete, and window installation, to provide hands-on demonstrations and career insights.
Adam Hicks, executive officer of the association, said roughly 450 to 500 students — primarily juniors and seniors — attended, with schools selecting participants for the experience.
“It’s not a moneymaker by any means,” Hicks said. “It’s just something that we’re trying to get workforce development in our community. At the end of the day, we just have to have more people that want to get their hands dirty and make a career out of building this community up.”
Students rotated through stations, interacting directly with employers and learning about opportunities in the construction industry.
