MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s construction industry is facing a historic labor crunch, but a wave of youth-focused programs and camps are working to change that by introducing kids to tools, job sites, and the excitement of building.
Events such as She Builds Wisconsin, which started in Madison and now operates in Green Bay and Eau Claire, and the statewide Kids Building Wisconsin fair are bringing thousands of children into contact with construction professionals, hoping to spark long-term interest in the trades.
The urgency is clear. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nearly 649,300 annual construction openings between 2024 and 2034, driven both by industry growth and retirements. Apprenticeship salaries remain strong, with Wisconsin apprentices earning a median of $96,733 annually and nationally at $99,840, according to a 2025 Wisconsin Technical College System report.
The She Builds Wisconsin camp gives middle school girls hands-on experiences, from using power tools to working on design projects. Originally launched at Madison College, the camp added sessions in Green Bay and Eau Claire this summer with support from the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Wisconsin.
“It’s no surprise the construction industry has a shortage of workers. That’s not shocking to anybody,” said Alyssa Norsby Kolden, an executive at Stevens Construction and She Builds WI organizer. “To tap into another 50% of the population and be able to expose them to opportunities in an industry that’s already short on workforce I think is huge.”
Over several days, girls tour job sites, meet with women professionals, and complete a capstone project. While organizers don’t track long-term outcomes, they point to success in sparking curiosity. One high school student who attended two prior camps plans to return as a volunteer next year.
The Green Bay camp partnered with companies such as Tweet Garot, Immel Construction, and Boldt, with students even helping to build planters for a veterans housing project. In Eau Claire, girls learned bricklaying, cement finishing, fire suppression systems, and designed birdhouses at Market & Johnson’s camp.
“Our secondary goal was making sure they accomplished things they couldn’t think they could,” said Heather Kretz of Market & Johnson. “Several of them talked about the courage to run the power drill, to step out on the fly deck and step on the job sites and ask questions to seasoned superintendents.”
At Fitchburg’s McKee Farms Park, Kids Building Wisconsin attracts nearly 10,000 children and families annually. Founded by Tri-North Builders, the event features cranes, VR headsets, drones, and hands-on exhibits from dozens of contractors.
Robert Thayer, vice president at Tri-North, said one challenge is changing parental attitudes.
“The hardest part is convincing parents to step out of the college mindset and open to the idea of their kids entering the trades,” Thayer said.
Yet surveys show strong responses from families impressed by the enthusiasm and professionalism of industry volunteers. Kids knock down foam walls, operate equipment, and explore career paths, while parents learn about the high wages and stability of construction careers.
Some companies are reaching youth earlier through schools. Riley Construction partners with the Kenosha Unified School District, hosting middle school students for activities like bricklaying and carpentry.
“As a result, hosting these students from KUSD allows us the opportunity to supplement their STEM program,” said Chris Meier, project executive at Riley. “And expose them to what could be a positive trade career experience.”
The program has grown so popular that Riley uses a lottery system to determine which students can attend each year. Meier said some of the first participants are now nearing the end of high school, potentially ready to enter apprenticeships.
“We enjoy that we feel like we have a good thing going, and we look forward to building this camp so that the next generation of industry leaders can continue to experience and get exposure to the construction trades for years to come,” he said.
Together, these camps and events show the construction industry’s strategy to fill its pipeline: inspire youth early, empower girls to see themselves in the trades, and engage families in conversations about careers beyond the four-year college route.
By expanding programs like She Builds Wisconsin and Kids Building Wisconsin, advocates hope to not only address the labor shortage but also reshape the face of the industry to better reflect the communities it serves.
Originally reported by Ethan Duran in The Daily Reporter.
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