Maryland Students Explore Trades at Construction Career Day

BALTIMORE — Thousands of Maryland high school students swapped textbooks for hard hats this week as they stepped into the world of construction, engineering, and design.

The Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation (MCCEI) hosted its third-annual Construction Career Day on Wednesday at M&T Bank Stadium, drawing students from Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County. The event offered hands-on experiences that highlighted career pathways in construction, engineering, architecture, and transportation.

Organizers said the event was created to expose more young people to rewarding career opportunities in the skilled trades—industries that continue to face worker shortages across the state and nation.

"We have over 40 companies, unions, apprenticeship providers and even higher education. Howard Community College, Morgan State, Capitol Tech University and Johns Hopkins are here as well," said Jennifer Dewees, president of MCCEI.

Students rotated through interactive stations, learning about carpentry, heavy equipment operation, electrical systems, architectural design, and project management. Industry professionals guided students through demonstrations, allowing them to try tools, explore digital design technologies, and better understand the day-to-day realities of careers in the built environment.

In addition to hands-on activities, the event gave students a chance to speak directly with trade unions, construction companies, and colleges about apprenticeship programs and higher education pathways. For many, it was their first exposure to construction as a career option.

The event is free for students, ensuring accessibility to all who want to participate. Organizers emphasized that the program is designed not just to spark interest but also to bridge the gap between education and workforce development.

This year’s Baltimore event was part of a growing statewide effort by MCCEI to inspire the next generation of builders. According to organizers, the next Construction Career Day will be held in Frederick County, expanding the program’s reach even further.

By connecting students with industry leaders, the program aims to strengthen Maryland’s construction workforce pipeline and prepare young people for in-demand careers that offer stability, growth, and advancement.

Originally reported by Peter Levchuck.