October is Careers in Construction Month

Words: Jennifer WilkersonNCCER and its Build Your Future (BYF) initiative are once again declaring October as Careers in Construction Month. Throughout the month, industry and education partner locally to host career events that introduce students to rewarding construction careers.

This year, governors in Nevada, Utah, Nebraska, Texas, Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi have all proclaimed Careers in Construction Month in their states. It is not too late for other states to do the same. Any state resident can file a proclamation for his or her governor to sign. To simplify the process, BYF offers proclamation guidelines for each state and a sample proclamation at byf.org.

BYF also provides a number of online resources at byf.org to make it easy for organizations to host career day events during Careers in Construction Month, such as a career day guide, field manual and helpful hints. Organizations can also register their events at byf.org/register for added publicity.

In celebration of Careers in Construction Month, NCCER and BYF have teamed up to create the “I BUILT THIS” video contest, giving aspiring craft professionals and their instructors an opportunity to showcase their construction projects. The contest is open through Oct. 18 to students and instructors in secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs. In the videos, contestants will describe their projects, share their favorite construction careers and explain what they enjoy most about the industry. First place winners will receive GoPro HERO cameras and second place winners will receive Google Chromecast streaming devices. For official rules or to submit a video, visit nccer.org/I-BUILT-THIS.

With a projected shortage of 1.5 million craft professionals by 2019, now is the time to promote construction careers in each state. Recognizing October as Careers in Construction Month can generate added publicity for the construction industry and help promote career opportunities.

To learn more, visit byf.org. For the latest news and updates on career events visit facebook.com/BYFcampaign and follow twitter.com/buildyourfuture.
About: Featured
Brick by Brick: The Importance of Grit

In a world where many jobs are done with a click of a mouse, masonry workers are still out there, getting their hands dirty—literally. These folks build the walls that keep our roofs over our heads, often battling the elements, tight deadlines, and unexpe

By: Erin Laird
About: MAP Partner
Read More
Fechino Files: Welding

As a masonry contractor, welding typically falls into two categories: fabrication or repair. Fabrication is when our certified welders make structural connections on the job site, and repairs are just that—fixing one of the hundred things that break every

By: Steven Fechino
Read More
The Thompson Library - Ohio State University

The Thompson Library at Ohio State University is a landmark of historical and architectural significance. Its renovation, completed in 2009, was a comprehensive project that aimed to modernize the facility while preserving its historic character. The proj

By: Drew Rosengarten
About: Featured
Read More
The Haunting of the NYS Education Building: The Legend of Jason, the Mysterious Mason

As Halloween approaches, there’s no better time to delve into the eerie tales that haunt our historic buildings. One such story surrounds the New York State Education Building in Albany, NY—a towering structure steeped in history and mystery. Constructed

By: Cass Stern
About: Featured
Read More