News Summary
More than 1,000 students gathered at Wheeling Park for the annual Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase. The event introduced young individuals to various careers in construction and highlighted the significance of skilled trades. Activities included hands-on experiences, helping students explore potential careers beyond traditional college paths, amidst a growing labor shortage in the construction industry.
Wheeling Hosts Over 1,000 Students at Building Construction Trades Event
Wheeling, West Virginia — More than 1,000 students from across the Ohio Valley attended the annual Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase held at Wheeling Park on September 18, 2025. This event aimed to introduce young people to various careers in construction trades and to foster interest in these often-overlooked professions.
Participation and Community Engagement
The showcase drew students from 30 different school districts across the region, providing them with a unique opportunity to explore multiple trades firsthand. The event featured a variety of activities inside the park’s skating rink, where dozens of companies and skilled trade workers displayed informational booths detailing career opportunities and pathways in the construction industry.
Hands-On Activities and Skill Demonstrations
Outside, students had the chance to participate in interactive, hands-on activities. These activities included operating construction equipment like cranes and backhoes, working on finishing concrete, and trying on safety gear used in mining and other heavy industries. Such activities offered a practical glimpse into the daily work of skilled trades and aimed to spark interest among young attendees.
Purpose and Significance of the Event
Project BEST Director Nathan Butts explained that the event is vital for drawing new individuals into trades careers. The initiative comes at a time when college debt has become a significant concern for many families, prompting students to consider alternatives that offer financial benefits without accumulating large amounts of debt. The showcase emphasizes that apprentices can earn wages while learning, allowing them to begin their careers without the financial burden associated with traditional college programs.
Upcoming Workforce Needs
According to Butts, the construction industry is facing a substantial labor shortage. An estimated 500,000 construction jobs are expected to need filling within the next five to ten years across the country, highlighting the importance of attracting young workers now. The wages for entry-level positions in union trades typically range from $18 to $25 per hour, in addition to benefits, making these careers financially attractive.
Growing Student Interest inTrades Careers
Representatives from trade organizations, such as Jennifer Long from the Plasterers and Cement Mason Finishers Local 926, noted an increase in student interest over the past two years. Many students expressed curiosity about various careers, with one student from Edison High School highlighting carpentry as his primary interest. Other students, including Thad Cooper and Landrum Robbins from Bridgeport High School, learned about emerging technologies like drone operation from professionals such as American Electric Power meter electrician Timothy Bradley.
Event Goals and Future Outlook
The primary goal of the showcase was to assist students in exploring different trades and to help them consider future occupational options beyond traditional college paths. By providing exposure to various training opportunities and career benefits, the event supports the development of a well-informed next generation of skilled workers in the construction and trades sector.
Overall, the event demonstrates a growing recognition of the importance of trades careers and the need to address workforce shortages through early interest and engagement among students in the Ohio Valley region.
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Additional Resources
- Times Leader: 1,000 Students Attend Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase
- News and Sentinel: College Receives $5 Million for Job Training
- WTOV9: Hands-On Job Fair Introduces High School Students to Union Trade Careers
- Weirton Daily Times: Wheeling YMCA Breaks Ground on Expansion
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction Trades
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