News Summary
Over 1,000 students from the Ohio Valley participated in the annual Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase at Wheeling Park. The event aimed to introduce students to construction careers through hands-on activities and informational sessions, highlighting the benefits of trade professions and the growing demand for skilled workers in the industry.
Wheeling Hosts Over 1,000 Students at Construction Trades Showcase
Wheeling, West Virginia — 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. The event aimed to introduce students to the various opportunities in the construction trades and encourage careers in these fields.
Event Details and Activities
The showcase attracted students from 30 different school districts in the region. Inside the park’s skating rink, dozens of companies and trade workers set up informational tables to provide insights into their respective trades. Additionally, students engaged in hands-on activities outside, such as operating construction equipment—including cranes and backhoes—finishing concrete, and trying on mining safety gear. These activities were designed to give students real-world experience and a clearer understanding of what working in construction involves.
Objectives and Key Messages
The event’s primary goal was to encourage young people to consider careers in the construction trades. The director of Project BEST, Nathan Butts, highlighted the importance of the event in attracting a new generation to these fields. He emphasized that many students are becoming increasingly concerned about college debt, which has made trade careers more appealing. Such careers can enable students to start earning immediately without the burden of significant student loans.
Butts explained that apprentices can receive paid training while learning their craft and progressing toward becoming full-time journeymen. He noted that in the coming five to ten years, approximately 500,000 construction jobs are expected to need filling in the region and across the country, underscoring the strong demand for skilled tradespeople.
Wages and Employment Opportunities
Starting wages across union trades typically range from $18 to $25 per hour, plus benefits. This pay scale offers an attractive alternative to traditional college pathways, especially for students interested in starting their careers quickly and earning a living wage without accumulating student debt.
Student and Industry Responses
Many students showed a keen interest in trades during the event. A member of the Plasterers and Cement Mason Finishers Local 926 reported a noticeable increase in student interest over the past two years, reflecting growing awareness of trade careers among young people.
Some students explored specific trades; for instance, a high school student expressed particular interest in carpentry. Others, like students from Bridgeport High School, learned about emerging technologies used in construction and utilities. For example, Timothy Bradley, an electrician from American Electric Power, demonstrated drone technology used for inspecting electrical infrastructure, drawing attention to the evolving nature of construction and utility work.
Event Significance
The showcase was designed to serve as an exploratory platform for students, helping them understand the diverse workforce opportunities available in the construction and trades sectors. By providing firsthand experiences and information, the event aimed to position trades as a viable and rewarding alternative to traditional college education, ultimately supporting workforce development in the 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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