The Arizona Builders Alliance recently hosted a SkillsUSA competition that featured over 140 students from across the state, competing in various trade categories. This event, held on February 7 at Catalina High School in Tucson, Arizona, aimed to introduce high school students to the broad range of opportunities within the construction industry. The competition, which spanned six and a half hours, included events in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrical work, where students demonstrated their skills in front of judges from local contracting companies.

The Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA), based in Tempe, is a statewide organization that represents nearly 400 member firms. Since 2019, the ABA has partnered with organizations like the Associated General Contractors of America and the Associated Builders and Contractors to host this event. According to Kim Davids, CEO of the ABA, this competition offers valuable opportunities for both students and teachers to connect with industry professionals, sparking interest in construction careers.

“It’s just a really, really great opportunity for the youth and the teachers to integrate with our member companies and try and get the students excited about a career or potential career in construction,” Davids told Construction Dive.

The SkillsUSA competition in Arizona is part of a larger network of regional contests held by SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit dedicated to workforce development. These competitions, run by state or regional affiliates, give students a chance to showcase their abilities and learn about potential career paths in the trades.

Many of the students competing are already enrolled in technical schools or other career and technical education programs, while others simply have a passion for the trades, Davids said.

A Critical Step in Recruitment and Career Development

For industry professionals like Michael Goodwin, business development manager at Tucson-based J.B. Steel, the competition serves as a key opportunity to assess and encourage students. Goodwin, an ABA member for over ten years, believes the event is essential in helping students understand what a career in construction can offer.

“Basically this event plants seeds, it gives the kids that are in the CTE programs the chance to come out and show us the different skills they’ve learned,” Goodwin said. “It helps build the depth for kids to understand what a real career is and what their goals are.”

While the event is a great showcase of student talents, it also plays a significant role in shifting perceptions about trade careers. According to Gilbert Maldonado, ABA program manager, the competition demonstrates how vital industry partnerships are in shaping vocational education.

“Through this annual competition, the ABA exemplifies the power of industry partnerships in shaping vocational education and changing perceptions of trade careers among students and parents alike,” Maldonado said in a news release.

Changing Perceptions and Encouraging Parental Support

Changing societal perceptions about trade careers is a central theme of the competition. Kim Davids highlighted that for many students, support from parents and teachers is crucial in shaping their career choices. Unfortunately, there has long been a stigma that construction is a fallback career for individuals who couldn't find success in other fields.

“It’s for the parents as well sometimes and the teachers. I feel that in my career, what I’ve seen is that there’s been a stigma and people just think, ‘Well, construction’s what you do when you’ve exhausted all your other opportunities,’” Davids said.

However, a recent study by Wakefield Research for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association suggests that parents’ attitudes may be shifting. The study found that 89% of parents with high school-aged children now think it is a wise choice for young adults to consider pursuing the trades. The rising costs of higher education, job market challenges, and the increasing demand for skilled labor are all factors contributing to this shift in perspective.

The study also found that nearly half of the parents surveyed had heard their child express interest in trade careers, and 86% said they would either encourage or be open to their child pursuing a trade.

Showcasing Innovation and Growth in the Construction Industry

The competition also serves as an opportunity to showcase the evolving nature of the construction industry. Goodwin noted that many contractors now use modern technology, like tablets, to replace traditional two-dimensional drawings, which not only improves efficiency but also helps attract younger workers to the field.

“Innovation is making business,” Goodwin said. “It’s not the same old construction you’re used to in the past.”

This technological shift is one of the ways the industry is adapting to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world, and it plays a role in drawing new talent into the profession.

As the construction industry continues to face a workforce shortage, events like the Arizona SkillsUSA competition are vital in building the pipeline of skilled workers and helping students see the value and potential of careers in the trades. Through continued support from local organizations, industry leaders, and educational programs, efforts to attract the next generation of construction professionals remain critical to the industry's growth and sustainability.

More Opportunities for Youth in the Trades

The Arizona Builders Alliance’s competition is just one example of how local organizations are working to address the workforce shortage in the construction industry. Similar initiatives across the country are focusing on reaching students at a young age to foster an interest in skilled trades and ensure that the construction sector has a steady supply of talent for years to come. These events provide a platform for students to showcase their skills, learn from industry leaders, and potentially launch a career that offers both stability and growth.

As the demand for skilled workers continues to rise, the importance of these programs cannot be overstated. It’s clear that the construction industry is evolving, and for many young people, it offers a promising career path filled with opportunity.

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.