The Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF) recently hosted its Annual Construction and Skilled Trades Day across Lake and Porter counties, highlighting career opportunities in the construction industry and introducing students and young adults to apprenticeship pathways in high-demand skilled trades.
The events were designed to connect the next generation of workers with hands-on learning experiences and direct engagement with industry professionals. CAF’s Skilled Trades Day focused on showcasing long-term career options available through registered apprenticeship programs, which continue to play a critical role in addressing workforce shortages across the construction sector.
A total of 18 construction apprenticeship training centers participated in the events, giving attendees the opportunity to speak directly with program representatives about career pathways in a wide range of skilled trades. Students were able to learn about training requirements, earning potential, and long-term advancement opportunities within the industry.
The events welcomed 2,004 high school students from 41 regional high schools, offering many participants their first exposure to real-world construction careers. In addition, 158 out-of-school youth attended, providing young adults not currently enrolled in school an opportunity to explore alternative career paths and workforce entry points.
CAF partnered with the Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI), which served as the event’s coordinating partner. CWI worked closely with regional schools to organize student participation and played a key role in managing logistics to ensure the events ran smoothly.
CAF leaders said the annual Skilled Trades Day reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to workforce development and talent pipeline expansion across Northwest Indiana. By bringing students, educators, and apprenticeship providers together in one setting, the foundation aims to raise awareness of construction careers as viable, stable, and rewarding professional options.
The construction industry continues to face labor shortages nationwide, making early exposure to skilled trades careers increasingly important. Events like CAF’s Skilled Trades Day help bridge the gap between education and employment by giving students firsthand insight into the opportunities available in the construction workforce.
Originally reported by Building Indiana.
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