The construction industry is a big player in North Texas. But not as many young people know about the opportunities available in the industry. According to Candy’s Dirt, the Dallas Business Association recently welcomed more than 100 high school students to visit their trade show in Plano. 

The DBA hosted students from schools in Arlington, Garland, Dallas, and Grand Prairie, where students got the chance to network with builders and vendors.

The event is all part of a larger plan previously put forth by the DBA to provide additional networking and internship opportunities to students already enrolled in construction trade programs.

Last year, the DBA included a group of students from Skyline High School’s construction program at a Classic Urban Homes job site.

Students in the high school vocational programs are learning essential skills like how to frame a house and to work with HVAC, plumbing, and electrical wiring. The idea is that exposure to a variety of construction-related skills will help students choose a career path that suits their interests and skills. 

The DBA has a vested interest in guiding young students in construction trades programs, especially since there’s a well-known shortage of construction workers in the Dallas area.

“There is no denying that the labor shortage is adding significant costs and delays to every new home in our region,” said DBA president Michael Turner, who himself graduated from a vocational program with Arlington ISD, in Candy’s Dirt. “These young people present an opportunity for our industry, but more importantly, our industry is an opportunity for them to have a viable career and provide for their families.”