October is Careers in Construction Month

October is Careers in Construction Month, when NAHB members and state and local HBAs participate in a national campaign to raise public awareness about the great jobs available in home building and related trade professions. The NAHB Careers in the Construction Trades page highlights the opportunities in six popular trades that are tailor-made to share with teachers, career counselors, students and their parents. The Careers in Construction Month Toolkit includes suggested activities to get the word out, such as:

• Open Up Your Site. Work with your local middle or high school to host a field trip for students to visit your construction site. Arrange for students to tour the site and gather first-hand information about what it takes to have a successful career in construction.
• Walk and Learn. Coordinate a walk to get children thinking about the built environment. Help students understand how construction affects every aspect of their lives. Explain the various jobs involved in building the things you see on your walk.
• Encourage a Local Official to Issue a Proclamation. Work with a state or local government to get them to proclaim October as Careers in Construction Month. NAHB will be participating in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. this week where local leaders are issuing such a proclamation. Find sample proclamations and tips in the toolkit.

Also, be sure to mark Monday, Oct. 7 on your calendars for a social media day of action in support of Careers in Construction Day 2019. We're encouraging all NAHB members to share the positive aspects of their chosen careers on social media using pictures, text, videos or however else you choose to express yourself. Just tag your post #CICDAY2019 to participate. Last year's inaugural CICDay was a hit, so let's make this one even better. Young Professionals Week is also in Oct. 7-11. This week was created to highlight local HBA young professional groups and activities, encourage local YP recruitment, and showcase the importance of membership and the positive impact that NAHB and HBA membership can have in the early stages of a home building career. Look for interesting articles, online video sessions and much more during YP Week. And check out social media activity using the hashtag #YPWEEK. For questions about YP Week, contact Topher McLarty and check out the NAHB YP Facebook group for more information. Here is NAHB Chairman Greg Ugalde discussing Careers in Construction month, YP Week and Careers in Construction Day: [bc_video video_id="6090982399001" account_id="260701690001" player_id="BJMWPKF2" embed="in-page" padding_top="56%" autoplay="" min_width="0px" max_width="600px" mute="" width="100%" height="100%" ] To offer new ideas and ask questions about Careers in Construction Month, contact Greg Zick at 202-266-8493.