News Summary
The Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase at Wheeling Park attracted over 1,000 students from 30 school districts. The event focused on hands-on experiences and showcased various career opportunities in the construction trades. Emphasizing the importance of practical skills and apprenticeships, the showcase aimed to educate students on a viable alternative to traditional college paths amidst rising student debt concerns.
Wheeling – More than 1,000 students from across the Ohio Valley participated in the annual Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase held at Wheeling Park on September 18, 2025. Students from 30 different school districts arrived to learn about various careers in the building construction trades.
The event provided a platform for dozens of companies and trade workers who set up informational booths inside the park’s skating rink. Outside, students were engaged in hands-on activities that allowed them to experience aspects of construction work firsthand. Activities included operating heavy machinery such as cranes and backhoes, as well as engaging in other practical tasks like finishing concrete and trying on safety gear used in mining.
Project BEST Director Nathan Butts highlighted the significance of the showcase in attracting new individuals to the trades. He emphasized the reality of rising college debt, which has become a major concern for students. The showcase aimed to educate students about trade opportunities that enable them to start working without the burden of student loans. Through apprenticeships in various trades, participants can earn money while undergoing training to become full-time journeymen.
According to projections, there will be a need to fill approximately 500,000 construction jobs across the country within the next five to ten years. Starting wages in union trades are competitive, with general rates ranging from $18 to $25 per hour, in addition to benefits.
Interest in the trades has seen an increase over the past two years, as noted by Jennifer Long, a member of the Plasterers and Cement Mason Finishers Local 926. This indicates a growing awareness among students about the rewarding career paths available in construction and related fields.
Among the students at the event, Connor Darlington from Edison High School expressed a particular interest in carpentry, demonstrating the personalized nature of career exploration available at the showcase. At the same time, students from Bridgeport High School, Thad Cooper and Landrum Robbins, were introduced to the innovative use of drones in the electrical trade by American Electric Power meter electrician Timothy Bradley.
The Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase serves as an essential resource for high school students contemplating their future career paths. By providing access to industry professionals, hands-on experiences, and essential information, the event encourages young people to consider a future in the building construction trades, where demand for skilled workers is on the rise.
The trademark of the Project BEST program lies in its commitment to forging connections between students and the skilled trades workforce. This annual event not only highlights career opportunities but also provides valuable insight into the practical skills needed to thrive in the construction industry.
As employers in the construction sector prepare to tackle the anticipated job vacancies, events like the Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future workforce. The emphasis on apprenticeships and immediate job opportunities showcases a viable alternative to the traditional four-year college route, potentially easing the financial strain on students and their families.
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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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