The Big Build, an exciting event held in Washington, D.C., invites families to engage in hands-on activities that highlight construction and engineering. As the construction industry grapples with a significant worker shortage, initiatives like this are crucial in attracting the next generation of skilled professionals.

On October 19, over 4,000 children and their parents flocked to one of Washington, D.C.’s museums, not to explore history, but to hammer nails, explore trade booths, and even visit a truck petting zoo.

Hosted by the National Building Museum, The Big Build is tailored for children aged 8 and under, providing a fun and educational introduction to various construction trades.

This annual event has evolved over the past 20 years, according to Sheridan Small, senior manager of youth and community programs for the museum. “The mission has stayed the same: introducing the nation’s youth to careers in construction and engineering,” Small noted. “I think people often underestimate young children and their ability to do difficult things such as swing a hammer or operate VR equipment, but they get so into it, and for most of them, it’s their first introduction to these trades,” Small said.

Attendees had the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities at booths set up by partners such as the Associated General Contractors of America, HITT Contracting, DPR Construction, Hensel Phelps, and the Modular Building Institute.

“The Big Build is always successful in my eyes as both kids and parents are getting important exposure to careers in the construction industry,” said Heather Wallace, communications director for Momentum Innovation Group, a consulting firm based in Jersey City, New Jersey. The firm offers solutions like job matching tools for offsite construction and digital twin technology. “[The kids] get to build, touch stuff and use tools and get some hands-on experience. I love watching the eyes of a kid or an adult light up when they learn something new and exciting about the industry,” said Wallace.

For instance, at DPR Construction’s booth, children engaged in building structures with popsicle sticks and binder clips, explained Nicole Julien, field office coordinator for the Redwood City, California-based contractor’s D.C. and Baltimore office.

Looking Ahead

‍Event organizers view The Big Build as a strategic approach to address the construction sector's longstanding labor shortage. With a significant portion of the current workforce nearing retirement, there are concerns about the industry’s future, as noted by Wallace.

“Early exposure to careers in the construction industry [is] important because it gets kids thinking about it, asking about it and sometimes problem-solving and innovating for our industry,” she stated. “The grade school and middle school age groups are many times dismissed from funding and programs because the idea of not seeing ROI for five or 10 years is difficult for many companies to swallow. But this is the age group that is important to target, now!”

Small mentioned that the museum is considering partnering for longitudinal research to track whether attendees pursue careers in construction. However, the impact extends beyond employment prospects. “We want to inspire these kids to envision many different futures for themselves,” Small said. This could lead to careers in the building industry, skill development for everyday life, community involvement, or exploring various life paths.

Brian Turmail, vice president of public affairs and workforce at AGC, echoed this sentiment. “The biggest takeaway was that when we talk about careers in construction, that can mean an enormous amount of things — from traditional crafts like pipefitting and carpentry to working on stained glass, driving trucks or operating drones. The possibilities are almost limitless,” he said.

Moreover, the event serves not just as an educational opportunity for children. “All these kids are accompanied by adults, right? So even if the hands-on activities are not targeting their parents, the parents are absorbing the information alongside the kids, and they’re seeing all of these trades and realizing the possibilities that are available,” Small noted.

When it was time to build, Julien observed, “We often find the parents are having as much fun as the kids.”

Takeaways and Future Improvements
Small reflected on the day’s highlights, particularly the joy on kids’ faces as they exclaimed, “that’s so cool!” upon seeing heavy construction equipment. This event is also beneficial for trade partners, offering opportunities for companies and sponsors to network, share ideas, and strategize on attracting the next generation of skilled workers.

“The biggest takeaway continues to be the importance of early exposure to different areas of the construction industry and the need for funding more training programs and events around the country,” Wallace emphasized. “It can’t just be a select few people or companies working to solve the labor challenges.”

Julien remarked that the event “sparked the imagination” of young visitors, likening their enthusiasm to that of contractors. “For me there’s a sense of pride working for a builder, and I think a lot of people should come to their jobs with more of an enchantment with what we do. I think sometimes we get mired down in the day-to-day but getting to look at a building and say ‘I worked on that’ is a great legacy thing,” she said.