Trades Day Season Recap: Building Futures Across the Nation

​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 & Impact

Across all Trades Day events this year, we served:

• 12,738 students
• 839 instructors
• 771 exhibitors
• 277 volunteers

Students rotated through interactive stations, tried real tools, engaged directly with employers, and discovered career pathways they may have never considered before—from construction and engineering to the trades that keep our communities thriving.
​
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.
We appreciate your continued support and look forward to building on this momentum as we kick off the 2026 Design Build Competition and have over 160 high schools teams registered to participate!"