Every fall, Associated Builds and Contractors Inland Pacific Chapter (ABC IPC) hosts an open house for trades at an area high school, inviting community members and youth of all ages to explore potential career paths in construction industries.
“You don’t know you like it unless you try it, right?” said ABC IPC Director of Member Services Tatianna Gallego at last year’s event.
The organization hosts workforce development opportunities like Trades Night to introduce young people to career paths that align with their interests, or even inspire new ones.
Representatives from a variety of professions participate to give kids a hands-on experience to paint, drill, plumb, weld, excavate and much more, so they have a better understanding of what working in these fields would be like.
They’ll also find information about training requirements and resources to enter trades careers, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses offered through Spokane Public Schools (SPS).
Experiences like Trades Night are also an opportunity for construction professionals to challenge stereotypes about trades occupations.
“For a while, the narrative was that construction was a dead-end job,” said Gallego. “That if you didn’t go to college, you weren’t successful. We believe that success looks different for everybody.”
“This event will give SPS students and families the opportunity to learn about the many career options available in the construction trades throughout the Spokane region,” said Tim Fortune, CTE director for SPS. “A big thank you to ABC and its members for all you do to make this event possible!”
Trades Night is Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, 5-9 p.m. at Shadle Park High School. You won’t be able to miss it – just look for the corral of excavators, cement mixers, cranes, and lifts in the parking lot! And don't forget your closed-toed shoes and pants if you want to participate in demonstrations.