Celebrating the Skilled Trades: October is Careers in Construction Month

October 25, 2024 by Valerie Kirk

5 min to read

In the late 1980s, many high schools started to move away from offering courses, like shop class, that helped students learn about careers in the skilled trades. Students were often told that the only path to a successful and lucrative career was to attend college, ignoring other paths that can also lead to successful careers.

As enrollment in college soared, students pursuing careers in the skilled trades dropped. Now, we're seeing the impact.

There is a significant shortage of skilled trade workers that can do the jobs that form the backbone of America’s infrastructure. A 2024 survey found that skilled trades roles are the hardest to fill across all industries.

What are Skilled Trades?

Skilled trades encompass many different careers that require specialized skills but don’t always require a four-year college degree. Trade work is often hands-on—skilled people use their hands to build, fix, and create. People working in the trades often learn their skills at trade school and through internships and apprenticeships.

A Renewed Focus on Skilled Trades

Career exploration is rarely a linear path. Whether students choose to pursue college or trade schools, internships or apprenticeships, or even a mix of both, many schools are committed to helping students reach their academic goals after graduating high school as well as providing students a pathway to work in the skilled trades.

With a renewed focus on the skilled trades, high schools are beginning to offer opportunities for students to explore these career paths. Trade organizations are stepping up efforts to get the word out about the benefits of working in the skilled trades.

October is Careers in Construction Month

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in construction are expected to grow faster than the average for all other occupations, with more than 660,000 new openings expected each year. 54% of construction firms report having problems filling both salaried and hourly positions. With 53% of seasonal workers retiring in the next 15 years, the industry is facing a critical skills gap and labor shortage.

Construction careers in today’s market include working with cutting-edge technology—and they offer huge earning potential. To raise awareness about careers in construction, October has been designated as Careers in Construction Month.

What is Careers in Construction Month?

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) launched Build Your Future, an organization dedicated to educating students about careers in construction. As part of their outreach efforts, they launched Careers in Construction Month. With the support of construction companies, Careers in Construction Month celebrates the industry by sharing information about different construction career paths and the benefits of working in construction. The goal is to inspire the next generation of construction craft professionals.

How to Get Involved with Careers in Construction Month

As a grassroots effort, Build Your Future encouraged people to write to their state legislatures to formally declare October as Careers in Construction Month. 47 states participated last year, and they are looking to get all 50 involved this year. They offer these resources to help you advocate for Careers in Construction Month.

If you are a parent or educator of a high school student, help them explore all of their career options, including construction, which offers fun and lucrative careers that don’t require a college degree. Careers in construction include:

Carpenter

Civil engineer

Concrete finisher

Craft laborer

Drywall installer

Framer

Heavy equipment operator

Pipefitter

And more!

Many companies offer internships for high school students to help them explore careers in the skilled trades before they even leave school. Students can also take classes in high school that can help them earn their earn certificates to work in the skilled trades.

How Does Connections Academy Support Careers in Construction?

Connections Academy is passionate about helping students feel confident and prepared for their future and offers unique college and career readiness opportunities designed to give students the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to succeed after graduation.

To support students interested in careers in the skilled trades, including construction careers, Connections Academy has partnered with The Home Depot’s Path to Pro program, which is designed to build the next generation of trade professionals to fill the widening talent gap.

The program introduces students to careers in the skilled trades, offers training opportunities while they are still in high school, and connects them to trade professionals who want to hire and train talent who are just starting their careers.

With a growing number of students looking for alternative career pathways that don’t include college, the Path to Pro program and other career readiness opportunities offered by Connections Academy gives students a head start on rewarding and in-demand careers.

With online school’s flexible scheduling, students can take advantage of training and internship opportunities in construction and other careers, fitting their studies in at a time that is convenient for them.

Celebrate Careers in Construction Month

Celebrate Careers in Construction Month by taking some time to explore careers in construction and encourage others to do the same. Students need opportunities like those offered by Connections Academy to find careers that may be just right for them.

Join a virtual information session to learn more about Connections Academy, the benefits of online school, and the College and early Career Readiness program opportunities.