Construct Tomorrow’s student participation numbers continue to show high schoolers are interested in careers in the building trades.

Through six event locations so far this year –  Eveleth, Rochester, Mankato, Minneapolis, Hinckley and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds  – 4,687 students have attended out of 6,554 registrants. And there are three locales left: St. Cloud, Duluth and Forest Lake. 

According to Kim Schrupp, co-chair of Construct Tomorrow (CT), one important reason for the turnout has been that CT was able to get the 2024-25 event dates set before the end of the last school year. The early scheduling allowed them to meet with more school administrators months in advance. Working with those gatekeepers is key to promoting the events.  

Good organization has its benefits: Anoka County has reached out asking about hosting an event in 2025-26. Plus Construct Tomorrow is interested in adding one evening in the metro for adults who want to talk to members of the trades.

Financing the events still comes through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Contractors are being sought for sponsorships next year, trying to get them more involved.  “Public money is never a ‘for sure.’ It often depends on what’s there,” Schrupp explained.  

Sponsorships would allow the program to expand and improve. A new web site where sponsors could be featured is one idea being considered. If public money dries up for some unforeseen reason, sponsorships could fill in the gap and help carry the financial load.

At the heart of it is helping expose teenagers to a career in the building trades. Many kids, unless they have a family member in the trades, don’t understand what it is all about. They are shocked at what’s really available to them and surprised to learn they don’t need to have all the answers. They don’t need to be a plumber, carpenter and electrician all at the same time. They are separate trades. “All you need to do is decide what it is you like to do, join that union and you can hone in on that trade,” Schrupp said. 

“You don’t need to know how to build a house,” Schrupp said. “You just need to know your specialty in building it. Just know how to do that specific trade, do it really well and you can have a great career.”

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