Alair Homes Green Bay has been working with West De Pere Middle School to support the Dust, Sparks, and Smarts Club, an extracurricular group consisting of 20 middle school students eager to explore construction.
Each year, the club participates in the Brown County Home Builders Association Middle School Building Contest. This year’s project was a game shed.
Instead of just offering financial resources and materials, Alair Homes Green Bay, along with partner Drexel Building Supply and CESM Electrical, organized a “Careers in Construction” event Oct. 9. Students had the chance to visit an active job site and participate in five stations, offering insights into every aspect of the construction process—from project planning to framing, siding, and electrical/wiring.
For many of these students, it marked their first-ever visit to a live job site and a chance to meet seasoned construction professionals.
According to Alair Homes owner Andy Selner, “There’s a collective responsibility within our industry to pass down our knowledge and passion for construction to the next generation.”
The construction industry has grappled with a pressing challenge in recent years: how to address the growing need for skilled labor as the current workforce ages.
In 2023, construction employment in Wisconsin reached approximately 130,000 according to Associated Building and Contractors, but still falls short of meeting the industry’s demand. And one in five construction workers is 55 years or olde
“I found my inspiration in middle school when I was involved in tech ed and building things. My love for the trades grew when I stepped onto a job site in high school and witnessed how enjoyable it could be,” Selner said.
The opportunities within the construction industry extend beyond the trades. It encompasses various vocations, from project management to architects to design. Additionally, there are leadership opportunities, including owning a company or contributing behind the scenes as an engineer or architect.
