Expo to expose students, career-seekers to careers in construction

WILMINGTON, Del. – On Friday and Saturday at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, Governor John Carney and a dozen partner organizations will host the first Governor’s Construction Career Expo to expose Delaware students and Delawareans exploring a career change to careers in construction.

The construction industry is one of Delaware’s fastest-growing employment sectors with more than 3,500 job openings expected through 2024. The Governor’s Construction Career Expo will introduce training and career paths to students and those looking to move from jobs to meaningful careers. The Governor’s initiative is also an opportunity to connect employers and career-seekers, and to continue to train and develop a strong, skilled Delaware workforce.

“We’re working hard to make sure that all Delawareans have the opportunity to succeed and share in our state’s economic progress,” said Governor Carney. “Careers in construction have provided paths into the middle class for thousands of Delaware workers and their families. Those same opportunities exist today. This Construction Career Expo will help connect Delawareans with meaningful career opportunities in construction fields, and expose Delaware students and adults to good-paying, skilled construction careers that are in demand and can help strengthen Delaware’s workforce.”

On Friday, September 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chase Center in Wilmington, middle school students from various schools in New Castle County will have the opportunity to participate in one of three scheduled blocks to meet with employers, sample fun activities and tools, and participate in heavy equipment demonstrations and virtual simulators. This specialized field trip was coordinated with school principals and school districts.

“We have planned an amazing event for nearly 2,000 middle school students on Friday that features 65 interactive experiences representing 35 different trades all under one roof, presenting all the opportunities the construction industry has to offer Delaware’s workforce,” said Alisha Bryson, Vice President of Wayman Fire Protection, Inc., who served as the Expo planning committee chairperson. “Then for the community event on Saturday, we have all of this plus 20 job training programs providing information on how to acquire the skill sets needed to enter high-paying construction careers.”

All students, families, and members of the public, are invited to attend the Construction Career Expo on Saturday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Chase Center in Wilmington. The free family-oriented career fair will include activities for both youth and adults, skills training opportunities, on-site job interviews, heavy equipment demonstrations, and food trucks. Representatives from more than 50 local companies will be on hand Saturday to help Delawareans learn about high-wage jobs, and discover skills training opportunities.

“We are excited to showcase the different construction trades and the growing opportunities for careers in Union construction,” said James Maravelias, President of the Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council.

“We appreciate the Governor’s support in holding this expo to showcase the entire construction industry,” said Edward J. Capodanno, President of Associated Builders and Contractors, Delaware Chapter. “It is an outstanding opportunity for the industry to show the availability for great paying jobs where you receive training and the ability to advance in a career while being a productive citizen in the First State.”

“The Delaware Contractors Association is most pleased to be actively involved in this unique partnership. Working in cooperation with the Governor’s office, other business organizations and organized labor gives us an excellent opportunity to introduce construction to many of the young students in our schools,” said John J. McMahon Jr., Interim Executive Vice President of the Delaware Contractors Association. “Hopefully these students will realize the potential in our industry as they continue their studies, and give serious consideration to pursuing a career in construction.”

“I feel most fortunate to have worked with a group of such collaborative professionals from both the private and public sectors whose focus was only to plan and execute a valuable educational and informative event for Delaware’s students and the community,” said Victoria C. Gehrt, Ed.D., Superintendent of New Castle County Vo-Tech School District.

The Governor’s Construction Career Expo is presented in partnership with:

• Office of the Governor
• AFSCME
• Delaware State AFL-CIO
• Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council
• Delaware Chief School Officers Association
• Delaware Contractors Association
• Delaware Department of Education
• Delaware Department of Labor
• Delaware Department of Transportation
• Associated Builders and Contractors
• Delaware Technical Community College
• The Committee of 100
• City of Wilmington

Visit de.gov/build to learn more about the expo and join the conversation online using the hashtag #DEBuilds.

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