Free, family-oriented career fair to expose middle school students, adults to careers in construction industry

WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor John Carney on Friday announced the second annual Governor’s Construction Career Expo – a family-friendly career fair for adults and youth to explore a career in construction – will take place on Monday, September 23. The Expo will introduce training and career paths to roughly 2,000 middle school students in the morning and feature a career fair for students, families, and community members from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

“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. “This year’s Construction Career Expo will help connect Delawareans with meaningful career opportunities in construction fields, which have historically provided paths into the middle class for thousands of Delaware workers and their families. It’s also a chance to expose Delaware students and adults to good-paying, skilled construction careers that are in demand and can help strengthen Delaware’s workforce.”

The construction industry has added almost 2,000 jobs in the past two years, and further growth for the industry is projected. The career fair is open to the public and will provide hands-on learning opportunities and interactive experiences. This initiative will connect employers and career-seekers, and continue to train and develop a strong, skilled Delaware workforce.
 
 
 
“Increasing awareness and access to career training and apprenticeship opportunities in the in-demand industries of our state will be key to meeting Delaware’s workforce needs,” said Cerron Cade, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor. “Specifically, careers in the construction industry provide excellent wages and benefits to its workers. Those are two of the most important ingredients to creating strong families, strong communities, and a robust economy.”

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 Health and Social Services
• Delaware Department of Labor
• Delaware Department of Transportation
• Associated Builders and Contractors
• The Committee of 100
• City of Wilmington
• Delaware Technical Community College

“A career in construction provides paid training, room for advancement, a good paycheck, and solid benefits. Regardless of age or experience, we are always seeking hardworking men and women who are looking for a career opportunity,” said Alisha Wayman Bryson, Vice President of Wayman Fire Protection. “We look forward to welcoming students and Delawareans at this year’s Expo, where they will get a firsthand look at all the construction industry has to offer them and their families.”

“Governor Carney’s Construction Career Expo is an opportunity for our Unions to showcase the contributions made every day by the working men and women of our state, and how big of a role they play in Delaware’s economy,” said James Maravelias, President of the Delaware State AFL-CIO. “We are pleased to be partnering with the Governor again on this event, which will also introduce young Delawareans to careers in construction. We look forward to working together to promote good-paying careers in the Building Trades Unions.”

“This career event exposes our students to people, programs, and equipment that they otherwise wouldn’t see and experience either at home or in school,” said Dr. Mark Holodick, Superintendent of Brandywine School District. “They also get to interact with folks who actually do the work, gaining a better understanding of the skills they are going to need when they enter the workforce. It helps make the connection between what’s happening in the classroom and what they are aspiring to do as adults.”

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