BETHANY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — More than 1,200 high school students from across Northwest Missouri are set to trade classrooms for construction sites—at least for a day—as they explore careers in the trades through a hands-on learning event designed to build the state’s future workforce.
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The Associated General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO) is hosting its second annual Build My Future: Construction Career Day and Industry Showcase at the Northwest Missouri State Fairgrounds in Bethany. The immersive event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, and aims to introduce high schoolers to a variety of skilled trades through live demonstrations, interactive exhibits, and real-world challenges.
According to event organizers, over 45 schools from across the region will send students to the event, which will feature more than 30 exhibitors and 16 sponsoring organizations.
The day begins with a safety briefing, emphasizing the importance of jobsite awareness, before students move through a series of hands-on exhibits led by professionals from construction, engineering, and related industries. Students will have the chance to operate equipment, build structures, test materials, and observe trade demonstrations that showcase the breadth of career opportunities available in construction.
AGCMO’s efforts are part of a broader statewide initiative to strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers entering Missouri’s booming construction industry. According to the association’s recent report, “Construction careers consistently pay above the state median, with skilled trade roles offering immediate, high-demand opportunities.”
In July 2025, Missouri’s construction employment reached 150,300 workers, an increase of 3,400 jobs from the prior year, signaling sustained growth and the urgent need for workforce development.
Throughout September and October—recognized nationally as Construction Careers Months— AGCMO has been highlighting the importance of construction careers through multiple Build My Future events across the state. Each program aims to give students tangible experiences that go beyond traditional career fairs, helping them connect passion with profession.
Industry leaders say events like this are crucial in reshaping perceptions about trade careers. Many young people and their parents still overlook construction as a viable and lucrative option. Programs such as Build My Future are designed to change that narrative by showing the innovation, technology, and teamwork that define today’s construction landscape.
Organizers also stress the collaboration between schools, contractors, and local governments that make such large-scale workforce initiatives possible. By engaging early with students, they hope to inspire a new generation of builders ready to take on Missouri’s future infrastructure, housing, and industrial projects.
The AGCMO encourages students to bring curiosity, energy, and a willingness to learn—qualities that can set them on a rewarding path in the trades. As the association noted in its release, “Construction careers consistently pay above the state median, with skilled trade roles offering immediate, high-demand opportunities.”
Originally reported by News-Press NOW.
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