Trades Day

We are excited to offer new locations this year, check below to see if we are coming to a city near you!

Trades Day introduces high school youth to industry career opportunities in construction, design, sub-contracting,
heavy equipment, engineering, and other skilled trades.

We hope you--our partners from the trades, industry, training and post-secondary programs, and others--will join us to inspire local students to pursue careers in construction. Bring a hands-on activity for students to explore all the industry has to offer; teach them how to swing a hammer, try their hand at mixing cement, scale a wall for roofing, or throw on some PPE and get them welding. Anything to get their hands and minds moving!

Take part in an exciting opportunity to pass along what excites you about your profession!

CLICK HERE FOR TRADES DAY RESOURCES

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2024 EVENT INSIGHTS

27% OF ATTENDEES IDENTIFIED AS FEMALE | 68% ATTENDEES IDENTIFIED AS HISPANIC

WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY

FROM EXHIBITORS

FROM STUDENTS

FROM INSTRUCTORS

HOW TRADES DAY CAME TO BE

Historical Timeline

1996 - First Event in Boston

The Boston Private Industry Council and Boston schools sponsor the first Groundhog Job Shadow Day. About 300 students from four high schools in Boston participate, shadowing public officials and workers from Boston businesses.

1997 - Massachusetts Expansion

The success of the initial event leads to Groundhog Job Shadow Day being marked again in Massachusetts in February 1997. The event continues to gain local attention and support. In late 1997, the National Job Shadow Coalition was created, bringing Groundhog Job Shadow Day to the national level in 1998.

Late 90s - Start of Trades Day

Over 100,000 students participated in the first national observance. Groundhog Job Shadow Day sparks the beginning of Trades Day in the local area. In the first couple of years, students are transported to various venues to experience what the industry has to offer. Notable destinations include Nacht & Lewis and the plumbers training center.

THE EVOLUTION OF TRADES DAY

2015 - Change of Scenery

In 2015, the Plumber and Pipefitter’s Training Facility in Sacramento invited students to attend a Saturday morning event which was attended by many of the building trades. In addition to the hands-on career exploration, students left with several small projects that they had constructed that morning – including tool boxes, tile mosaics, small lamps, and more.

2017 - CIEF Growth and Evolution

Formally known as the SRBX Education Foundation (now CIEF) expands the event to invite students who were not already participating in one of CIEF’s other workforce programs and moved the event to Raley Field. The additional space allowed for heavy equipment and showcased a wider range of industries while also reaching more students.

2019 - CIEF Grows Local Trades Day Event and Markets Nationally

The event moves to Cal Expo in 2019, drawing over 1,000 students and 50 exhibitors. In 2022, CIEF Trades Day went national, visiting 12 cities in two states. By 2023, it reached 15 cities across three states, serving over 5,000 students. In 2024, CIEF expanded to five states with an estimated 9,000 students attending.