Barbara Pierce, President, M2Pierce LLC
MACON — The Macon County Fairgrounds came alive as 1,536 area high school students spent the day discovering the world of construction on Wednesday, Sept. 18. For the third consecutive year, the Association of General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO), along with 27 other sponsoring organizations, hosted students from across northern Missouri at the Macon County Fairgrounds for their annual “Build My Future” interactive showcase.
Students had the opportunity to experience a variety of construction careers including carpentry, welding, heavy equipment operation, utility installation and repair, electrical work, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, etc. Representatives from area contractors, local utilities, various colleges and universities, and trade associations were on hand to explain the various career paths and opportunities.
Students, teachers and career guidance counselors in attendance also enjoyed learning about the scholarships and paid apprenticeships available to those looking to pursue a career in the construction industry. Since 2018, the AGCMO Education Foundation, along with AGCMO’s Young Executives Club (YEC) and Construction Leadership Council (CLC), have supported a total of $411,000 in scholarships.
Earlier this year, AGCMO awarded $82,000 in scholarships to 30 students. Recipients for 2024 include eight vocational students, seven high school grads and 15 college students. The deadline for 2025 scholarships of $1,000 to $3,000 is Dec. 31. Online applications can be made at www.agcmo.org.
AGCMO also sponsors and is involved with student chapters at several universities across the state, including Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, University of Missouri-Columbia, State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri State Technical University in Lynn and Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.
Throughout September and October (Construction Careers Month), AGCMO will continue to shine a spotlight on Missouri’s current construction industry, discussing the needs of today’s construction workforce and available training opportunities. The Macon expo is the kickoff for a series of five Build My Future events scheduled across the state, including programs at St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley (Sept. 25), the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau (Oct. 8), the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds (Oct. 16) and the Northwest Missouri State Fairgrounds in Bethany (Oct. 23).
According to Charlyce Ruth, SW MO Manager/Workforce Development and organizer of AGCMO’s Build My Future event, there is a serious shortage of construction workers nationwide.
“A recent AGC of America Workforce Survey reported that 92 percent of Missouri contractors have open journeyman positions and 62 percent have open salaried positions,” says Ruth. “Many contractors have their own training programs, and unions also have excellent apprenticeship programs that develop students into skilled tradespeople. In many cases, these are paid apprenticeships. Missouri is also fortunate to have excellent trade schools and universities that produce excellent craftsmen and industry professionals.
“Students are often surprised to learn that there is a wide variety of high-paying jobs in our industry,” says Ruth. “We also work hard to attract a diverse and inclusive workforce, with more and more women and minorities entering our industry.”
“Many of these jobs utilize the latest technology,” she added. “From identifying underground utilities to estimating multi-million dollar jobs, construction professionals are using 3D BIM technology to design and build projects, constructing roads, bridges, dams and hydroelectric plants supported by significant new infrastructure funding. With Missouri in the early stages of the reconstruction and widening of I-70 across the state, it’s a great time to enter our field.”
In July 2024, Missouri employed 151,400 people in the construction industry. This is an increase of 8,500 from July 2023, ranking the state 10th in the nation for construction job growth. Since January 1, 2021, 24,067 students and 2,537 educators have participated in the Build My Future event in Missouri. Participants from 43 upstate high schools in Macon included students from Adair County RI Novinger, Adair County RII Brasher, Atlanta C-3, Green City, Kirksville Area Tech Center, Knox County, La Plata R-II Schools, Macon Area Career and Technical Education Center, Macon R-1 HS JAG, Milan C-2, Putnam County R-1, and Schuyler R1 high schools.
Major sponsors include AGCMO, Altorfer Inc., C-Com, Inc., Central Service and Supply, Inc., Continental Cement Company, Green America Recycling, Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Program, Local 101, Sellenriek Construction, Inc., SN Partners and Utilisource. Additional sponsors include Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., Capital, Chariton Valley, Crown Power & Equipment, Martin Equipment, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, MoDOT, Prenger Foods and Septagon Construction.
For more information or to register for upcoming Build My Future events, contact Charlyce Ruth at cruth@agcmo.org.
