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This year’s Trades Day season marked one of CIEF’s most impactful yet—uniting thousands of students, educators, and industry professionals across the country to explore hands-on careers in the built environment. From California to Texas and every region in between, the energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm we witnessed reaffirmed exactly why these events matter. A Season of Growth & ImpactAcross all Trades Day events this year, we served:
In every region, we heard the same feedback: Students want meaningful, career-connected learning opportunities — and Trades Day continues to deliver just that. Spotlight: Austin Trades Day & Industry Luncheon Our final event of the season wrapped up in Austin, TX on November 14 — and it was a powerful way to close out the year. More than 900 students, educators, and employers came together for a day filled with hands-on exploration, industry engagement, and real conversations about future career paths. The momentum carried into the Austin Industry Luncheon, where partners across Central Texas gathered to celebrate workforce development efforts and hear firsthand how these programs are influencing students’ lives.
Student Highlight: Scholarship Recipient Dane Dugger One of the most memorable moments from the Austin luncheon came from Dane Dugger, who received the CIS Scholarship last year through CIEF Central Texas. Dane shared how CIEF’s support helped shape his early journey into the built environment and opened doors for his future. A standout line from his heartfelt note encapsulated the impact perfectly: "With savings from working and this scholarship, I’ll be able to attend my first year of college without incurring debt. Thank you for getting me off to a great start.” He also reflected on the hands-on work he’s done across various construction-centered jobs, his academic goals, and his excitement about attending West Texas A&M. Dane’s story is exactly why these programs matter — they ignite interest, build confidence, and help students take their first steps toward meaningful careers.  A Word from Brittany Albaugh, Director of National Youth Programs "As we wrap up our Fall 2025 Trades Day season, I’m proud to share that we successfully hosted 14 Trades Days across five states—an impactful season. Thank you to our industry partners, volunteers, educators, and staff whose commitment made these events possible. Together, we introduced thousands of students to rewarding careers in the built environment and strengthened the pipeline for our industry’s future.
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This fall, CIEF and PHCC Texas launched a new initiative to inspire the next generation of plumbing professionals — the Plumb Perfect: Dream Bathroom Challenge. Running from September 8 through October 17, 2025, this six-week virtual competition brought together high school students and professional plumbing mentors to explore the real-world art and science of plumbing. Each team of five to six students was paired with a licensed plumbing contractor who guided them through the process of designing and planning a fully functional bathroom — from layout and fixture selection to slopes, P-traps, drain lines, and finishing touches.  How It Worked Students completed four interactive modules, each building on the last:
The Result The inaugural competition saw:
What’s Next Building on this success, Plumb Perfect will expand in 2026:
Get Involved Want to help grow Plumb Perfect?
Industry sponsors play a vital role in supporting the program’s materials, mentorship, and outreach. Contact Brittany Albaugh at [email protected] to learn how your organization can help expand this innovative program and build the next generation of skilled trades professionals. |
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