News Summary
Over 1,000 students from the Ohio Valley attended the Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase at Wheeling Park, learning about various trade careers. The event featured hands-on experiences such as operating construction equipment and highlighted pathways to skilled trades as alternatives to traditional college education. With the increasing demand for workers in the construction industry, students had the chance to connect with professionals and explore lucrative job opportunities without the burden of student debt.
Wheeling – More than 1,000 students from across the Ohio Valley gathered at Wheeling Park on September 18, 2025, for the annual Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase. The event highlighted the opportunities available in the construction trades, featuring participation from 30 different school districts in the region.
Students visited numerous informational tables set up by various companies and trade workers inside the park’s skating rink. They engaged in hands-on experiences outside, including operating a crane and a backhoe, finishing concrete, and trying on mining safety gear. The event provided a chance for students to learn about the skills and job prospects related to different trades.
Project BEST Director Nathan Butts underscored the significance of the event in attracting new individuals to the construction fields. With a growing concern over college debt, Butts highlighted the need for students to explore trade opportunities that offer pathways into the workforce without the burden of significant student loans. Through apprenticeship programs, students can earn while they learn, ultimately transitioning to full-time journeymen.
In the next five to ten years, the construction industry is anticipated to need approximately 500,000 new workers. General starting wages for union trades range from $18 to $25 per hour, in addition to benefits. This financial aspect is a vital consideration for students who are weighing their future career options.
The event also showcased an increase in student interest in the trades over recent years, as reported by members of local trade unions. A wide range of activities facilitated learning, such as a demonstration by American Electric Power meter electrician Timothy Bradley, who taught Bridgeport High School students about the use of drones in the field.
Among the attendees, Connor Darlington from Edison High School expressed a strong interest in pursuing a career in carpentry. The trades showcase was designed to give students insights into potential career paths, motivating them to consider the trades as viable and rewarding options for their future.
The event aligns with a national trend of increasing interest in vocational training as students seek alternatives to expensive college degrees. Many are realizing that skilled trades offer lucrative and fulfilling career paths without the burden of student loans, which has become a pressing concern for many young people and their families.
As construction projects continue to rise across the country, the demand for skilled workers is expected to grow. By connecting students with industry professionals and providing hands-on experiences, Project BEST is fostering a new generation of trade workers ready to fill critical positions in the construction field.
The success of the Building Construction Trades Showcase illustrates the importance of raising awareness about career opportunities in the trades, emphasizing practical skills and immediate employment advantages. Events like these are essential for preparing students to meet the workforce demands of the future while also ensuring they have access to well-paying jobs without incurring significant debt.
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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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