In Western New York there are more career opportunities in the construction industry than there are skilled workers.
State leaders say it’s because a lot of students are going to four year colleges instead of trade schools.
This is why Building Western New York puts on a construction career days event for high school juniors and seniors.
The event is a networking tools for construction employers and students. It’s also an event to expose students especially minorities and women to opportunities in the industry.
Supervised by professionals, students participate in hands-on activities, including bricklaying, welding, and carpentry.
In 2013, there were only 9 percent of women in the construction industry, according to the National Association of Women in Construction. A third of them were white.
That’s a number many construction employers at the event said they hope will go up.
“I would love to see more women give it a shot. I don’t think they would regret it,” a sheet metal worker said.
The Building Western New York Construction Career Days ends on Thursday. For more information www.constructioncareerdays.org.
