Wheeling, West Virginia, September 18, 2025
News Summary
The annual Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase at Wheeling Park drew over 1,000 students from the Ohio Valley. The event showcased various construction career opportunities through hands-on activities like operating cranes and finishing concrete. With a demand for around 500,000 construction jobs in the coming years, the event highlighted the significance of trade skills for students considering their futures in the industry.
Wheeling Hosts Major Building 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 various career opportunities in the building construction trades, featuring a broad array of companies and skilled trades workers.
Students from 30 different school districts attended the event, which included dozens of informational tables set up inside the park’s skating rink. Outside, students engaged in hands-on activities that showcased elements of the construction industry. They operated equipment such as cranes and backhoes, learned to finish concrete, and tried on mining safety gear, allowing them to gain practical insights into the trades available to them.
Project BEST Director Nathan Butts highlighted the significance of the event in attracting new talent to the trades. With increasing concerns about college debt, he emphasized the importance of educating students about trade opportunities that allow them to begin work without the burden of financial obligations. Apprenticeships were showcased as a practical route, where individuals can earn money while training to become full-time journeymen.
According to industry forecasts, around 500,000 construction jobs will need filling in the next five to ten years. This statistic underlines the urgent demand for skilled labor in the construction sector. The general starting wages for union trades workers range between $18 and $25 per hour, along with benefits, making it an appealing career choice for many students.
In recent years, interest in the construction trades among students appears to have grown. A member of the Plasterers and Cement Mason Finishers Local 926 noted an increase in inquiries about trade careers from students in the past two years. Participants at the showcase, like Connor Darlington from Edison High School, expressed strong interest in carpentry, while other students, such as Thad Cooper and Landrum Robbins from Bridgeport High School, learned about innovative technologies like drone usage in the field.
The showcase was designed to help students explore various career paths in the construction trades, encouraging them to consider their futures in an industry that is evolving and expanding. With hands-on experiences and access to trade professionals, the event provided a vital resource for young people looking to make informed career decisions.
Key Features of the Showcase
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Wheeling Park, Wheeling, West Virginia |
| Date | September 18, 2025 |
| Participants | 1,000+ students from 30 school districts |
| Activities | Hands-on demonstrations in operating cranes, backhoes, and mining safety equipment |
| Job Forecast | 500,000 construction jobs needed in the next 5-10 years |
| Starting Wages | Union trades range from $18 to $25 per hour |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project BEST?
Project BEST is an initiative aimed at introducing students to career opportunities in the building construction trades through events like the annual trades showcase.
Who attended the trades showcase?
More than 1,000 students from 30 different school districts attended the showcase, engaging with various trade professionals.
What types of activities were available at the showcase?
Students participated in hands-on activities including operating cranes and backhoes, finishing concrete, and trying on mining safety equipment.
What are the potential job opportunities in construction?
An estimated 500,000 construction jobs are expected to be available in the next five to ten years, with starting wages ranging from $18 to $25 per hour.
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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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