On Thursday, March 12, the third annual ‘BLDG Trades Day @ ND’ will welcome area high school students, educators, parents and adult career seekers throughout the day at Notre Dame’s Stepan Center with the opportunity to meet local contractors and tradesmen to explore building trades education and career opportunities.
More than 70 contractors and training partners will be on hand to interact with approximately 1,000+ students, from 27 high schools, who are interested in trades careers. The event gives students an opportunity to dive deeper into conversations about their career pathways, learn more about the work the tradesmen do and the skills needed, and explore what a future in the trades might look like. Exhibitors will also have many hands-on activities for students and attendees to participate in. Registered school groups will have the opportunity to tour buildings currently under construction.
While BLDG Trades Day @ ND welcomes school groups throughout the day, it is also open to the public free from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm. Parking will be available in the Wilson Lot, southeast of the Stepan Center.
BLDG Trades Day @ Notre Dame is being organized and presented by the University of Notre Dame’s Facilities Design & Operations team, in partnership with MACIAF (Michiana Area Construction Industry Advancement Fund), St. Joseph Valley Building Trades and the South Bend Regional Chamber.
“BLDG Trades Day @ ND is about shining a spotlight on the tremendous opportunity within the building trades and reinforcing just how essential this industry is to our region’s economic momentum. From infrastructure to innovation, skilled trades professionals are building the future of our communities every single day. This event helps students see those pathways clearly and understand the impact they can make right here at home,” said Jeff Rea, Chamber president & CEO. -more-
Tony Polotto, senior director of construction and quality assurance, University of Notre Dame commented, “We’re proud to once again open our doors to students and industry partners for BLDG Trades Day @ ND. Connecting young people directly with professionals in the field strengthens the bridge between education and career. These hands-on experiences introduce students to meaningful, high-demand career paths while deepening collaboration between schools, industry leaders and the Chamber to strengthen our region’s talent ecosystem.”
According to Shawn O’Brien, executive director, MACIAF, “When students experience the trades up close—meeting professionals, seeing worksites and learning about training pathways — it changes perspectives. BLDG Trades Day @ ND gives them a real-world view of the opportunities available across our region and empowers them to consider careers that are rewarding, in-demand and vital to our economic future.”
