The Building Industry Association (BIA) is proud to announce the successful participation of the Specialty Contractors Council (SCC) at the recent San Diego Trades Day, hosted by the Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF).
The event welcomed 860 students from 36 high schools, providing a platform to explore hands-on career opportunities in the construction industry. This marks a significant increase in student engagement from last year, highlighting a growing interest in the skilled trades as a viable career path.
Brooke Velazquez, Vice Chair of the SCC and owner of Bright Sky Recruiting, played an instrumental role in coordinating the involvement of SCC members and ensuring a dynamic experience for attendees. Under Brooke’s leadership, the SCC organized five diverse trade booths, each offering hands-on demonstrations designed to engage and inspire students. For many, this was a unique introduction to the skilled trades, opening their eyes to rewarding career paths outside of the traditional college track.
“Our presence at San Diego Trades Day allowed us to show students the wide array of opportunities available in construction,” said Velazquez. “Watching these kids realize there’s a path for them, especially one they might not have previously considered, was incredibly rewarding. Our goal was to showcase the diversity and accessibility of careers in the construction industry, and I’m thrilled to say we achieved that.”
The SCC’s participation also brought new perspectives to the event by representing the open shop approach, showcasing alternative opportunities within the construction industry, which is often represented by union contractors. Students were given a well-rounded view of the industry and the various paths available to them.
The BIA extends its gratitude to the participating SCC member companies who supported this event with their expertise and engaging demonstrations: Six Star Framing, Zach Smith Plumbing, HBI, Building Talent Foundation, Symon’s Fire Protection, and Simpson Strong-Tie. A special thanks also goes to Workforce Connect, whose job platform, centered around the construction industry, was promoted at the event as a valuable resource for students.
CIEF Program Coordinator Dustin Hildebrand commented, “The amount of engagement blew us away…the students showed tremendous interest in your booths. The activities were outstanding, and we are grateful for everyone’s support in making Trades Day a success.”
The Specialty Contractors Council and BIA are committed to supporting workforce development initiatives that inspire the next generation of construction professionals. For more information on joining future events or supporting workforce development efforts, please contact Brooke Velazquez or the BIA office.
