🚧👷♂️🏗️ Hundreds of high school students from across Western North Carolina got a firsthand look at careers in the skilled trades during the WNC Construction Career Day.
A total of 864 students from 16 counties participated in the event, including students from nearly every Buncombe County high school. The day brought together more than 80 businesses and industry partners, along with 43 volunteers, to create an immersive, hands-on experience focused on construction careers. Students rotated through multiple activity zones, where they explored equipment, watched live demonstrations, and spoke directly with professionals, from apprentices to project managers and executive leaders.
“This event was structured to provide students with hands-on exposure and direct interaction with the construction industry and skilled trades,” said Michele Smith, Buncombe County Schools Career and Technical Education director. “It was exciting to see student faces light up when they are able to get a bucket of dirt or dump it out”
Students spent the morning rotating between indoor and outdoor exploration areas, followed by a program featuring industry speakers and workforce leaders. The event also emphasized the strong partnership between education and industry, with stakeholders including local construction companies, community colleges, workforce development organizations, and school systems working together to support student success.
“WNC Construction Career Day represents the essential link between our CTE classrooms and the local economy,” Smith said. “This day isn't just about showing students equipment; it’s about allowing them to see themselves in these roles and recognizing that their skills are the foundation of our future infrastructure.”
