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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. The 2025 CREATE® Competition is officially underway, bringing together high school students, mentors, and industry leaders for another exciting season of innovation, collaboration, and creativity. This year’s competition will culminate on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Sacramento State University’s University Union Ballroom, where students will showcase their projects before a panel of judges and celebrate four months of hard work and mentorship. Kicking Off the 2025 Season The CREATE® season began earlier this fall with both in-person and virtual kickoff events that introduced participating schools to this year’s challenge and connected them with their industry mentors. Over the next several weeks, students will design and present creative solutions that address real-world challenges in the built environment.  Mentorship in ActionCIEF’s Youth Programs Manager, Ashley Slovak, will be meeting weekly with participating schools across Northern California to check in with student teams and their mentors as they develop their final projects. Just yesterday, volunteer mentor Jenna Baker visited Folsom High School, guiding students through their engineering plans and answering technical questions to help refine their final presentations. Mentorship remains one of the most impactful aspects of the CREATE program, connecting students directly with professionals who shape the built environment every day. During a recent site visit to West Campus High School, Ashley worked closely with the students as they completed their first run-through of design plans. One student, Zia Xiang, stood out for her enthusiasm and commitment. Zia, a junior and third year CREATE participant, shared: "I really like CREATE — it’s such a fun experience. I’ve learned a lot about working on a team with different personalities, ideas, and skills, and it’s been really cool to see how everything comes together. I also like getting to present in front of industry professionals; it’s a little nerve-wracking but exciting. Having mentors to guide us through the project makes a big difference too — it feels good knowing we’re not doing it alone. And I love getting to connect with local companies and meet people who actually work in the industry."  A Look Back at 2024Last year’s CREATE® Competition brought together 13 schools, 58 mentoring companies, and over 250 students—a reflection of the program’s growing impact. To date, CIEF has awarded over $850,000 in scholarships to help students pursue careers in construction, architecture, and engineering. Get InvolvedThe CREATE® Competition would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, mentors, and volunteers.
We’re currently seeking sponsors and volunteer judges to join us for the 2025 competition in December. Together, we’re helping students explore career pathways and inspiring the next generation to create the built environment of tomorrow. Learn More or Get Involved →  Over the past few weeks, the Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) has been hard at work bringing Trades Day to students across the country—connecting high school youth with hands-on opportunities to explore real careers in construction, design, engineering, and the skilled trades. From Texas to California to New Mexico, each event has provided a unique experience where students meet industry professionals, test real tools and equipment, and gain insight into the many pathways available in the built environment. Recent & Upcoming Trades Day Events
And we’re not done yet—more Trades Days are on the horizon through the remainder of 2025 and into early 2026! At the end of this week, we anticipate having served over 6,000 students from the 8 Trades Days within the last three weeks! Each event brings together dozens of industry partners, including contractors, trade schools, and post-secondary programs, all eager to inspire the next generation of builders. Students get to try hands-on activities like mixing cement, welding, operating heavy equipment, and even climbing scaffolding—all while learning directly from professionals passionate about their craft. Photos include Sacramento, Port of LA, and Albuquerque locations Spotlight: San Antonio Trades Day Today, CIEF hosted its annual San Antonio Trades Day, welcoming over 1,000 students from across the region to experience hands-on career exploration in construction and related industries. This year’s event brought together an incredible network of partners, including ABC South Texas, AGC San Antonio, MCA-SMACNA, and the ASA, San Antonio, who collaborated with CIEF to create a day full of interactive learning, live demonstrations, and meaningful conversations about careers in the skilled trades. Students had the chance to connect directly with local contractors, trade organizations, and industry professionals—many for the first time—gaining a deeper understanding of how classroom skills translate to real-world opportunities in construction.  Student Voices from San Antonio Trades DayDuring the San Antonio Trades Day, students from across the region shared what inspired them to attend and what they’ve learned from the experience. A group of students from Pleasanton High School said they came to explore future career options and learn more about what the trades have to offer. Many expressed that the event opened their eyes to new opportunities beyond college. As one student put it, “College isn’t the only thing you have to do after high school. You can learn a trade, join the workforce, and get started early.” “College isn’t the only thing you have to do after high school. You can learn a trade, join the workforce, and get started early.” Meanwhile, students from Southwest Legacy High School showcased another powerful side of the event — women breaking barriers in the trades. With several of them enrolled in their school’s welding program, these students are already leading by example. One shared that her father, a welding instructor, inspired her to join, while another explained how skepticism from others only strengthened her determination to succeed. They spoke passionately about encouraging more young women to join the field: “We want to inspire younger girls to do the same and join welding as well. When the eighth graders come to visit, we want them to see that women belong here too.” Their advice for future participants? “Don’t be afraid. Be curious. Ask questions. Try everything.” Together, their stories reflect the heart of Trades Day — students discovering confidence, purpose, and passion through hands-on exploration of the trades. Partner Highlight: XL Construction at Sacramento Trades DayAt the Sacramento Trades Day on October 2, CIEF welcomed thousands of students and dozens of exhibitors, including XL Construction, a Gold Sponsor for the event. “The Sacramento Trades Day, held on October 2, 2025, proved to be a profoundly impactful event—not only for the hundreds of young individuals in attendance but also for me personally. I had the privilege of guiding young women and men in expanding their awareness and understanding of the wide-ranging career opportunities within the construction industry. I observed many take deliberate steps toward shaping their professional trajectories. Most notably, I was deeply impressed by the collective commitment and collaboration demonstrated by educators and industry partners, working through CIEF, to support and invest in the future workforce of the construction sector.”  XL Construction Team. Join Us to Build What’s NextIf you’re an educator, industry professional, or company looking to inspire students, there’s still time to get involved! Whether by registering your students, exhibiting with a hands-on activity, or sponsoring an event, you can play a vital role in shaping the future of our workforce.
Visit tradesday.org to learn more, find an event near you, or sign up to participate. Together, we’re building a stronger future—one Trades Day at a time. Yesterday’s DFW Trades Day was a huge success, bringing together 415 students and 39 exhibitors for a day of hands-on career exploration in the trades. Hosted at the Keith Bell Opportunity Central, the event gave students the chance to roll up their sleeves, try new skills, and learn directly from industry professionals. A big congratulations goes out to Rosendin Electric, who earned Top Exhibitor honors in our student-voted competition for their engaging exhibit space. Rosendin was also a valued Cornerstone sponsor of this year’s event, along with DPR Construction and Kiewit. We also extend our thanks to the many volunteers and planning committee members who helped make this event possible.
From drywall and pipe bending to VR sets and electric circuits, students had the opportunity to experience the breadth of the skilled trades. They tested their skills in activities like nail driving on plywood and wooden boards, building pre-hung exterior doors, and even a boom lift demonstration. These activities not only showcased the technical side of the trades but also highlighted the creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving that come with building the future. We’re proud of the incredible energy and engagement from both students and exhibitors. Events like Trades Day make it clear that when students get the chance to experience the trades firsthand, they walk away inspired and empowered.
🚧 Next Up: Port of LA Trades Day – September 30th 🚧The excitement doesn’t stop in DFW. Join us later this month as Trades Day heads to the Port of Los Angeles! Together, we’ll continue inspiring the next generation to explore careers across construction, design, engineering, sustainability, and more.
See all location and register: https://tradesday.org/ Just hours ago, CIEF and AGC Houston brought the energy at our Women in Construction Happy Hour, held August 27th in Houston. The event was filled with networking, small bites, and community as attendees came together to celebrate women shaping the future of the built environment. “This evening was about celebrating women shaping the future of the built environment,” shared Delyssa, CIEF’s Texas Programs Manager. “It was inspiring to see so many leaders come together and build excitement for October’s conference.”
On the Road to SacramentoTonight’s happy hour is only the beginning. We’re building momentum for the 2025 SRBX & CIEF Women in Construction Conference, taking place October 15–16, 2025 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, CA. New for 2025:
“Belonging is a necessary ingredient for our performance—individually, in teams, and for our organizations—because we can more effectively engage and bring our best selves to work.”  Why This Conference Matter Construction is one of the largest industries in the U.S., contributing 4.1% of the GDP, yet women make up just 10.3% of the workforce. As labor shortages continue to challenge our industry, fostering belonging and inclusion is critical to building the next generation of leaders.
The Women in Construction Conference is for all who want to be change makers. Through panels, workshops, and shared best practices, attendees will leave with actionable tools to recruit, retain, and empower future talent in the built environment. Join Us in SacramentoBe part of the movement. Register now for the 2025 SRBX & CIEF Women in Construction Conference, October 15–16 in Sacramento. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Design Build Competition®, CIEF’s signature four-month program that challenges high school teams to design, plan, and construct a 96 sq. ft. structure according to industry standards. Guided by professional mentors and supported by generous sponsors, students bring their projects to life over two intense days of building, where they are judged on design, construction quality, safety, and code compliance. For Del Campo High School in Sacramento, 2025 was a year to remember. With Sundt Construction as their Team Sponsor, the team, led by instructor Samuel Baeder, created custom L-shaped pig sheds measuring about 3 to 5 feet and designed without floors for functionality. Materials were provided at no cost through the support of sponsors, allowing the students to focus on quality craftsmanship and creative design.  Del Camp High School with Instructor Samuel Baeder at the 2025 Northern California Design Build Competition® The process was not without its challenges. At one point during the competition, the trailer bearings went out, but the team rallied and pushed through. After the event, they transported the sheds back to campus, reassembled them, and completed the finishing touches including painting and trimwork. This post-event work helped the students earn additional hours toward their career pathway requirements while further refining their skills. A meaningful partnership emerged when the team connected with Only Sunshine Sanctuary, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing food, shelter, and medical care to animals in need. Soon, the students will take a field trip to the sanctuary to donate their pig sheds, helping support its mission: "Bring Only Sunshine into the lives of the Earth’s precious creatures. Be a loving, caring force that provides food, shelter, and medical care to animals in need. Encourage like-minded community members to come together to make a positive impact in the lives of all living things." You can learn about this organization at Only Sunshine Sanctuary The experience is a shining example of what Design Build is all about: developing real-world skills, overcoming obstacles, and using those skills to make a tangible difference in the community. Del Campo’s story does not end here. The team will also participate in CIEF’s CREATE® Competition later this year, continuing to inspire students to explore career pathways that shape the built environment.  Hard work, teamwork, and a finished project to be proud of  Pig sheds so nice, even the goats moved in.
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