Inaugural Event Introduces Utah Students to Rewards of Careers in Construction

Workforce Development
Published
Contact: Greg Zick
[email protected]
AVP, Workforce Development
(202) 266-8493

This video highlights the career exploration activities throughout SUHBA's Careers in Construction day.

The Southern Utah Home Builders Association (SUHBA) hosted its first “Build Your Future: SUHBA Careers in Construction Day” on Sept. 12. The event was designed to introduce seventh-grade students to rewarding career opportunities in the home building industry.

Attendees had the chance to engage directly with construction professionals, learn about different trades, and participate in live demonstrations. More than 40 construction industry businesses were on-site to showcase the latest tools, technologies and career pathway opportunities.

This event is important as the demand for skilled construction workers in Southern Utah continues to rise. SUHBA aims to address the labor shortage by introducing the next generation to the many career paths available in construction. The top 25% of professionals in various construction trades earn at least $60,000 annually, making it a lucrative and fulfilling career choice.

“With the median age of construction workers in Utah at 41, and over 20% of the workforce aged 55 and older, the construction industry faces a significant labor shortage,” explained Skyler Stephens, president of SUHBA. “This event is a key initiative in attracting younger generations to construction career pathways to the trades, ensuring a steady flow of skilled workers to meet the growing housing demand in the region.”

SUHBA has partnered with the Washington County School District to promote careers in construction through the Construction & Architecture pathway at Career Tech High School. Students gain hands-on experience by participating in this program, including building a home featured in the St. George Area Parade of Homes.

Looking to create your own Careers in Construction-related event? Check out the Career Connections Playbook, created by NAHB and the National Housing Endowment, to help HBAs and members start workforce development outreach efforts.

Learn more about NAHB’s Careers in Construction Month.

Sponsored By:

Heartland black logo

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics

Jul 28, 2026

Acquisitions Increasing Among Home Builders

The number of home builders reporting that they have been approached has doubled in less than a year, according to recent results from the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey.

Multifamily

Jul 28, 2026

High-Density Building Completions Hold Highest Multifamily Market Share in 2025

For the ninth consecutive year, most new multifamily units were in buildings with 50 or more units (labeled as high-density buildings) at 57%, the highest share since 2021.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jul 28, 2026

How a Home Purchase Boosts Consumer Spending

The housing market has changed greatly since the COVID-19 pandemic, along with consumer spending behaviors. During this period, housing demand surged, home prices appreciated rapidly, inflation increased, supply-chain disruptions happened, and mortgage rates moved from historic lows to elevated levels.

Economics

Jul 28, 2026

Median Lot Value Stabilizes as Regional Trends Diverge

Following a multi-year run of record highs, the national median lot value for single-family detached spec homes largely stabilized in 2025. According to NAHB’s analysis of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), the U.S. median lot value for homes started in 2025 was $59,000, compared with $60,000 a year earlier.

Economics

Jul 27, 2026

Share of Apartments Built in Buildings with 50+ Units Moves Higher in 2025

Following the highest number of multifamily completions in nearly 40 years in 2024, completions declined in 2025 to 484,000, according to NAHB analysis of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction. For the ninth consecutive year, a majority of new multifamily units were in buildings with 50 or more units (labeled as high-density buildings) at 57%, the highest share since 2021.