October is Careers in Construction Month

Words: Jennifer WilkersonNCCER and its Build Your Future (BYF) initiative are once again declaring October as Careers in Construction Month. Throughout the month, industry and education partner locally to host career events that introduce students to rewarding construction careers.

This year, governors in Nevada, Utah, Nebraska, Texas, Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi have all proclaimed Careers in Construction Month in their states. It is not too late for other states to do the same. Any state resident can file a proclamation for his or her governor to sign. To simplify the process, BYF offers proclamation guidelines for each state and a sample proclamation at byf.org.

BYF also provides a number of online resources at byf.org to make it easy for organizations to host career day events during Careers in Construction Month, such as a career day guide, field manual and helpful hints. Organizations can also register their events at byf.org/register for added publicity.

In celebration of Careers in Construction Month, NCCER and BYF have teamed up to create the “I BUILT THIS” video contest, giving aspiring craft professionals and their instructors an opportunity to showcase their construction projects. The contest is open through Oct. 18 to students and instructors in secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs. In the videos, contestants will describe their projects, share their favorite construction careers and explain what they enjoy most about the industry. First place winners will receive GoPro HERO cameras and second place winners will receive Google Chromecast streaming devices. For official rules or to submit a video, visit nccer.org/I-BUILT-THIS.

With a projected shortage of 1.5 million craft professionals by 2019, now is the time to promote construction careers in each state. Recognizing October as Careers in Construction Month can generate added publicity for the construction industry and help promote career opportunities.

To learn more, visit byf.org. For the latest news and updates on career events visit facebook.com/BYFcampaign and follow twitter.com/buildyourfuture.
Bonding with Masonry 2025: Q4
November 2025

This issue’s questions come from an Architect and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk.

Hultafors Group Continues Gold Partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program
November 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is pleased to announce that Hultafors Group will continue its Gold partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program.

Are you in the Insulated Concrete Block business? Then FTC Rule 460 applies to you…
November 2025

If you supply, sell, or use any of these… Pre-insulated concrete block... Loose-Fill Insulation... Injectable Foam-in-Place Insulation... Foam Plastic Inserts... Then you must abide by FTC Rule 460, 16 CFR 460, which governs R-value testing and claims

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 33 Recap: Dawn Rogers, Executive Director at Arizona Masonry Council
November 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, we're happy to be joined by Dawn Rogers from the Arizona Masonry Council to talk about her journey in the masonry industry, as well as give her insight as to what the future of the industry looks like.