Missouri’s construction industry’s promoting future careers to teens across the state.
Charlyce Ruth of the Associated General Contractors of Missouri says the demand for such careers remains very strong.
"We need trades people, we need management, we need office staff, we need creative people. The list is endless about the different opportunities in the industry," Ruth says
More than 1,200 teens attended the group’s “Build My Future” career fair in Bethany recently. There are seven similar events held throughout the state each year, in the spring or fall.
"We have a lot of people that are close to retirement. They need to be able to find that next person to train. Otherwise, we're going to lose a lot of institutional knowledge," Ruth explains
The event held in Bethany is just one of several that the Associated General Contractors of Missouri hold Ruth says.
"These events are held in the spring in Springfield and St. Charles. In the fall next year, we will be in Macon, Poplar Bluff, St. Louis, Jefferson City and Bethany," Ruth says
Ruth notes says experienced construction and skilled tradespeople are retiring and need to be replaced. She says at the same time, there are many big road and data center projects requiring construction workers and skilled tradespeople.
Missourinet