By CHARLYCE RUTH
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – As Missouri’s construction workforce continues to face growing demand, one initiative is helping to close the gap by reaching students before they even graduate.
The Build My Future event series returns this fall with five hands-on career exploration events scheduled across the state, each designed to introduce high school students to the opportunities available in the construction and skilled trades industries.
Hosted by the AGC of Missouri Workforce Development team, each Build My Future event brings together contractors, educators, and volunteers to provide real-world experiences for students through interactive exhibits, equipment demonstrations, and safety conversations.
But none of it is possible without volunteer support.
Volunteers Power the Experience
Volunteers are needed at all five fall events to assist with both setup and student engagement. Volunteer shifts include:
- Setup Days (typically the day before each event)
Tasks include unloading vehicles, measuring and marking booth spaces, setting up tables and chairs, and assisting vendors with move-in. - Event Days (typically 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Tasks include helping vendors unload, distributing safety glasses and t-shirts, directing students and buses, leading short safety talks as students unload from buses, handing out water, serving lunch, monitoring restrooms, posting signage and general cleanup.
Anyone working in the construction industry – from the office to the field – can make a meaningful impact by showing students what a future in the trades can look like.
Fall 2025 Event Schedule & Volunteer Sign-Up Links:
- September 17 – Upstate Missouri (Macon, Mo.)
Macon County Fairgrounds
Volunteer Sign-Up - October 1 – Gateway Region (Florissant/St. Louis, Mo.)
STLCC – Florissant Valley
Volunteer Sign-Up - October 7 – Southeast Missouri (Poplar Bluff, Mo.)
Black River Coliseum
Volunteer Sign-Up - October 15 – Central Missouri (Jefferson City, Mo.)
Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds
Volunteer Sign-Up - October 22 – Northwest Missouri (Bethany, Mo.)
Northwest Missouri State Fairgrounds
Volunteer Sign-Up
A Simple Way to Give Back
Whether you can give a couple of hours or a full day, volunteering at Build My Future is a chance to inspire the next generation and represent the construction industry with pride. It’s also a great opportunity for team building, community involvement and showing students what’s possible with a career in the trades.
For more information on volunteering or participating in any of the fall events, contact Charlyce Ruth at [email protected].
Web addresses for the different volunteer links:
Upstate: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EADAC2CA3F9C61-57157827-build#/
Gateway: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EADAC2CA3F9C61-57157857-build#/
Southeast: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EADAC2CA3F9C61-57157856-build
Central: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EADAC2CA3F9C61-57157874-build
Northwest: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EADAC2CA3F9C61-57157876-build