BELLEVILLE, Ill. – The 25th Annual Metro Construction Career Expo, to be held Oct. 21–23 at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, is bracing for an all-time record turnout of more than 1,200 students from 37 area high schools who will gain hands-on experience in what could become their future career path.

Unions and industry leaders are addressing the growing demand for skilled workers across Southern Illinois through this Expo and multiple other initiatives. Southern Illinois Builders Association CEO Donna Richter says apprenticeship programs offer paid, debt-free pathways into the construction industry –  complete with wages, benefits and pension, providing a strong alternative to traditional college routes.

“We are thrilled to see record participation this year,” says Richter. “The Metro Construction Career Expo continues to open students’ eyes to meaningful, high-paying careers that don’t require taking on college debt. The hands-on experience students gain here often sparks lifelong careers in the trades.”

Participating Trades and Exhibits

The Expo will feature hands-on demonstrations and exhibits representing: carpenters, electricians, cement masons & plasterers, sheet metal workers, boilermakers, painters, ironworkers, laborers, bricklayers, plumbers/pipefitters/gasfitters and steamfitters.

The Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois will also host a booth featuring virtual reality construction simulations where students can watch workers weld steel beams, demolish overpasses, rebuild roofs, install solar panels and more.

“This is an eye-opening opportunity for high school students to experience what it’s like to be a steelworker, construction laborer, carpenter, solar technician and other occupations,” Richter says, “through more than 50 realistic 3-to-5-minute simulations that bring the trades to life.”

Metro Construction Career Expo Participating Schools:

Tuesday, Oct. 21

  • Calhoun, O’Fallon, Highland, Triad, Coulterville, Alton, Belleville East, Belleville West, Mt. Olive, Marissa, CCSI, East St. Louis, Brownstown

Wednesday, Oct. 22

  • Edwardsville, Wesclin, New Athens, Freeburg, Civic Memorial, Lebanon, Staunton, Columbia, Dupo, Southwestern, Bunker Hill, Cahokia, Okawville
  • Open house 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 23

  • Granite City, Waterloo, Roxana, East Alton-Wood River, Gillespie, Patoka, Chester, Greenville, Mascoutah, The CAVE, Carlyle

Celebrating 25 Years of Opportunity

Now in its 25th year, the Metro Construction Career Expo has grown into one of the region’s premier workforce development events. Since its inception, the Expo has introduced thousands of students to viable, debt-free career paths in the skilled trades – many of whom have gone on to successful, long-term careers in construction. The continued growth of the event reflects the collaboration between schools, trade unions and industry partners dedicated to building a stronger workforce for Southern Illinois.

For more information about apprenticeship programs and opportunities in the construction industry, visit www.SIBA-AGC.org