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Construction Career Days

Students are matched with area employers in the construction industry, see the kind of work they do, and learn about the range of career paths available within each organization.

An Opportunity to Explore Your Options

More and more students today are rethinking their career paths. With rising tuition rates, you might be thinking that college isn’t the right move for you. Whether a lifetime of student debt is causing you to reconsider college or you’re simply examining all your alternatives, Construction Career Days offer an opportunity to explore your options for a fulfilling and well-paying career before deciding.

YBA Workforce NOW Construction Career Days bring together local high schools, students, and employers in the construction trades. Host companies introduce students to the scope of work they do, often provide hands-on activities or demonstrations, and opportunities to hear from employees in different roles. Students also get details on connecting with the company when they are ready to look for employment.

Construction Career Days are designed to provide students a first-hand look at the diverse opportunities available for skilled trade careers in York County and surrounding areas.

Information for Schools + Students

There are many options in the construction trades for students interested in exploring professions that don’t require a college education but can still be rewarding and provide high-earning potential. Skilled trade careers also offer opportunities to advance into management roles or business ownership.

Workforce NOW Construction Career Days are designed to help educate today’s students on the diverse skilled trade career opportunities available to them in our local York County community and surrounding areas.

Workforce NOW Objectives for

Construction Career Days:

Provide high school students with the resources they need to learn more about skill trade careers that are in high demand.

Introduce high school students to local construction trade organizations that are interested in hiring high school graduates.

Provide students with the right connections in the construction trades and make sure students know how to reach out to them when seeking employment.

Give students a chance to learn about the range of job opportunities available through Workforce NOW Construction Career Day host companies.

Share information about scholarship opportunities.

Share information about trade apprenticeships, on-the-job training, internships, etc.

Connect with Young People

Construction Career Days

Information for Employers

62% of U.S. organizations struggle to fill important skilled trade positions. Attracting the next generation of skilled trades professionals is an important issue for many companies – both throughout the country and here in York, Pennsylvania.

The construction trade industry has been facing a shortage of skilled trade workers for some time, and the demand continues to escalate. A smaller hiring pool makes it difficult for construction companies to meet the increased service demand. As a result, everyone experiences delays, companies face hiring challenges, which ultimately impacts your business’s growth.

Workforce NOW Construction Career Days provide excellent opportunities for employer companies to connect directly with young people interested in learning more about YOUR organization and considering a skilled trade career path.

Host Company Responsibilities

YBA member companies interested in hosting Workforce NOW Construction Career Days events should complete the registration form (LINK). Once registered to host a group of students, a company’s responsibilities include:

Register Your Organization

Pay host fee

Provide at your cost: Lunch, drink, and a break area for students & chaperones. Accessibility and food allergy accommodations, if applicable

Plan, prepare, and implement student agenda from arrival to departure (approximately 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Plan for interactive discussions and activities. Encourage students to ask questions and provide information about career opportunities, benefits, work environment, and the scope of work your company does.

Suggested activities: executive welcome, company information, tours, demonstrations, employee testimonials, hands-on activity (if possible), and Q & A opportunities.

Construction Career Day Sponsors

A skilled trades career does not have to be narrow or limited, you can continue to learn new skill sets throughout your career and, in most cases, you won’t have to pile on a bunch of student debt to acquire those skills! Ready to get started?  Check out a sampling of skilled trade roles, including information on training, pay, and day-to-day responsibilities.

YBA Workforce NOW Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the frequently asked questions for Construction Career Days Host Companies.

How do I become a host company?

To become a Workforce NOW Construction Career Days host company, you must be a member in good standing of the York Builders Association. To host a school, please contact Melissa Longenberger at the YBA office, 717-767-2444, or email [email protected]

What do host companies do?

Construction Career Days host companies will spend approximately three to four hours with a student group. Each group is chaperoned by school staff/faculty along with staff/volunteers from YBA. The host company will greet the students around 9:30 a.m. at their company. The schedule and details of the day are up to the host company. Typically, the host will introduce the students to the company and review some history, key staff, and the type of work the company does. Introduce various career opportunities in the construction trades that your company employs and the kind of skilled trade training necessary. If the group is large, we suggest planning for multiple small group tours/activities.

Do you have to be a member of the York Builders Association to be a host?

Yes, all host companies must be members in good standing. Non-member companies can participate along with a member company as the primary host.

How much does it cost to be a host?

Host companies will be invoiced $350. The fee covers administrative expenses, marketing, and additional promotion for your company throughout the year. This can include but is not limited to social media posts, guest blog submissions, video highlights, photography, etc.

How many students should I expect?

Each host company will choose the group size they can manage at their location. We will create a registration form based their group size limits. This will allow all student groups and companies of any size to participate in this event.

Do we need to provide breakfast or lunch?

Breakfast is not required. Providing lunch for the students is a requirement and an area for them to sit while eating.

How can we plan the visit?

The YBA staff will be happy to assist with planning your Construction Career Days events. We can provide sample schedules/itineraries from past host companies. Expect the students to arrive around 9:30 a.m. and leave between 1 – 2 p.m. You can schedule around your organization’s ability to educate and entertain the students about your company’s role in the construction trades and the opportunities for skilled trade careers available. Small companies may find it best to finish their day after lunch while larger companies can fill additional time.

Should we do a presentation?Should we do a presentation?

Any presentation should be kept short and, if possible, include high-energy videos or key points of interest about the scope of work your company does and the skilled trade career opportunities available. Young minds have short attention spans. We do not suggest a presentation longer than 10 minutes.

Can we do hands-on activities?

Yes, we strongly suggest hands-on and creative activities or demonstrations. The students are eager to participate in small and safe activities. Let them climb on equipment and test the controls, do small building projects, test design programs, try on safety equipment, etc.

What do we do after the event?

Be sure to introduce yourself and relevant team members to the faculty/staff from the school during their visit. Exchange contact information if possible. YBA is happy to assist with these connections before and after the event. We intend to provide the opportunity for your company to have an open dialogue with these schools in the future and make it easy for students seeking skilled trade career opportunities to reach out to you.

Workforce NOW Board MemberLaurie Lourie

Company 
York Builders Association 

Position 
Executive Vice President 

How long have you been a YBA member?  
8 years as YBA Executive Vice President 

Involvement in YBA 
As Executive Vice President, I work closely with the York Builders Association Board of Directors on the strategic direction of the association, manage our talented team of employees, develop the culture of the organization, build relationships with YBA members, the community, and other stakeholders, identify potential sources of income and oversee income generating activities. Prior to my role with YBA, I served as Executive Vice President of the Wayne County Builders Association for 22 years. 

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?  
With direct experience working alongside members in the construction trades for three decades, I see first-hand how the lack of skilled workers impacts the ability to meet consumer demand, ultimately affecting our communities and the economy. I also see evidence of how successful and personally rewarding a career in the skilled trades can be. I am committed to generating awareness about the benefits of working in the skilled trades and inspiring more young people to consider the construction trades as a career path. 

Workforce NOW SecretaryEd Hesson

Company
Traditions Bank 

Position
Business Services Partner.  Commercial lending, deposits, and other business products and services. 

How long have you been a YBA member?
16 years 

Involvement in YBA
Previously served on the Workforce Committee 

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
To educate younger generations about the importance of the trades and the viability of a career in the skilled trades. 

Other Community Involvement
Finance Committee & Board Member (York Day Nursery), Finance Committee & Board Member (DreamWrights Youth & Family Theatre) 

Workforce NOW TreasurerMichael Lohss, Jr.

Company 
Regal, Inc. - Plumbing, HVAC & Home Automation 

Position 
General Manager - Running day-to-day operations, building/developing business strategy, and assisting other managers in developing and growing their team. 

How long have you been a YBA member? 
38 years 

Involvement in YBA
Vice President of the York Builders Association, Chair of Workforce NOW Committee 

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
As a mechanical contractor that is directly affected by the labor shortage, I am very passionate about developing our youth. I see and feel the impact of what's happening to our trades locally, let alone in America. I chose to partner with the York Builders Association and the Workforce NOW Foundation due to their direct contact with the premier builder and associate members locally that are also directly affected by this. By working together, we can achieve an outcome to boost our local economy and help spread the message that college isn't for everyone and that a career in the trades can be just as valuable, if not more valuable, than earning a college degree. 

Workforce NOW Vice PresidentWilliam Rickard

Company
Eastern York High School

Position
Principal

How long have you been a YBA member?
2 years

Involvement in YBA
Workforce NOW Committee

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
To help our students connect with the construction trades workforce.

Workforce NOW PresidentShonna Cardello, NTP

Company
White Rose Settlement Services Inc.

Position
President of White Rose Settlement Services and a founding partner when the company opened in July 1996.

How long have you been a YBA member?

22 years

Involvement in YBA

Board of Directors (Life Director), 2019 Board President, Women’s’ Council of the York County Builders Association, Marketing Committee, Workforce NOW Committee

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
Working directly with the Builders and trades within the YBA has opened my eyes to the dire need for skilled tradesman.  We are all part of the same team and when one team member needs help, we all pitch in.  The idea to start a program came from necessity.   Our industry is aging and we need younger skilled tradesman.  It was a simple endeavor for me to support and become involved in the Workforce NOW initiative.  I look forward to continuing to promote this amazing Foundation!

Other Community Involvement
Shonna Stock Cardello is the President of White Rose Settlement Services and Inch Settlement Services LLC and a founding partner with the companies. She is a licensed title agent and has earned the designation of Certified Land Title Professional and in 2015 was awarded the National Title Professional designation by the American Land Title Association (ALTA).   She is a Life Director of the Pennsylvania Builders Association and a Past President of the York Builders Association.  Ms. Cardello was President during the Charter Year of the Women’s’ Council of the York County Builders Association.  Shonna currently is a TIPAC Board of Director for ALTA and is the Pennsylvania Trustee, and serves on the Title Action Network (TAN) and Government Affairs committees for ALTA. Shonna serves, and has served, on many committees for the Realtors Association of York and Adams Counties (RAYAC) and the Pennsylvania Land Title Association.

Staff LiaisonMelissa Longenberger

Melissa Longenberger leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance awareness about the skilled trades as a rewarding career path and build connections throughout the community with local organizations, educators, school administrators, employers, and more. She also oversees the Foundation’s efforts to develop resources and programs supporting the mission to empower more students and build our future workforce. In her role as staff liaison, Melissa works closely with the YBA Workforce NOW Board of Directors. 

Melissa Longenberger is currently the Vice President of Member Relations for the York Builders Association, where she’s served in a membership role since 2015. Melissa has been at the forefront of the Workforce NOW initiative, including spearheading its inception in 2018.