Student Trade Initiative Events

HOT Expo

The “HOT” Expo (Hands on Trades) is an amazing event offered to hundreds of local Iowa & Illinois 8th grade students, allowing them a chance to experience jobs in the trades industry firsthand. Many generous businesses dedicate and donate to make this event such a success. There are several stations set up and the students rotate, making sure they can spend time at each profession represented. This can be a real eyeopener for kids as they get ready to enter high school, choose their classes and start thinking about a career path. Some of the workstations include Roofing, siding, masonry, electrical, framing, gutters and more. This event is held at the Iowa National Guard Armory building, so the students also get the chance to learn about a career with the National Guard and see their equipment up close.

If this is something you would like to be a part of, please contact our office, as we are always looking for volunteers and sponsors.

2023 HOT expo

2022 HOT Expo

students and teachers doing electrical works

teacher teaching students on electrical works

students and teachers working with the steel pipes

Build Your Career Forum

Build your career Forum is an educational event for 11^th & 12^th grade students from both Iowa and Illinois who have an interest in pursuing a career in the building/construction industry. The event kicks off with 3 keynote speakers, giving the kids some testimonials, advice and preparing them for the next segment of the program, which is meeting with business owners, installers, and workers in a round table discussion format. There are approximately 30 different business represented. The round tables allow for the students hear what a “day in the life of” is like for each profession. Some companies are looking to hire part time help and some are searching for fulltime candidates after they graduate. The mentors, kids and presenters all receive lunch and are given the opportunity to spend more time with the business/career that connected with before the end of the event.

If this is something you would like to be a part of, please contact our office, as we are always looking for volunteers and sponsors.