KEY POINTS
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Wisconsin youth programs like She Builds, Kids Building Wisconsin, and WRTP BIG STEP introduce children and teens to construction careers through hands-on activities.
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Apprenticeship participation has surged, doubling youth enrollment since 2019 to more than 11,000 students, with two-thirds pursuing construction trades, positioning Wisconsin at the forefront of apprenticeship-driven workforce development.
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Introducing construction to new pools of potential labor, such as those in Wisconsin, is essential to developing the next generation of US construction labor, which faces ongoing staffing shortages.
An expanding network of construction youth programs, including She Builds Wisconsin camps, youth trade fairs, and apprenticeship pathways, is emerging across Wisconsin to help address a labor shortage and inspire the next generation of skilled construction professionals.
She Builds Wisconsin Camps Expand Regionally
In its third year, the She Builds Wisconsin Construction Camp, a free, multi-day program for middle school girls, continued in Madison and introduced new sessions in Green Bay and Chippewa Valley (Eau Claire) in August.
These camps, supported in partnership with the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, offer hands-on exposure to power tools, interior design, site planning, and career advice featuring industry professionals.
Campers typically number between 20 and 30 per session. In Green Bay, participants contributed to a tiny home build with a planter project, which took place in partnership with Veterans 1st, according to the Daily Reporter.
In Eau Claire, activities included fire suppression systems, masonry, tool use, and birdhouse building, aimed at boosting interest in the skilled trades.
Addressing Construction Workforce Shortages
Introducing construction to new pools of potential labor, such as those in Wisconsin, is considered essential to developing the next generation of US construction labor, which is facing ongoing staffing shortages.
Construction workforce shortages remain a leading cause of project delays in the US, with nearly one-third of firms reporting disruptions tied to immigration enforcement, according to the recent workforce survey by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and NCCER. (ConstructConnect partners with the AGC as one of its professional association allies.)
In a statement, the AGC said, “Construction workforce shortages are the leading cause of project delays as new immigration enforcement efforts have impacted nearly one-third of construction firms.”
The survey measured the severity of construction workforce shortages, their impact on firms and projects, and the steps contractors are taking to cope and attract new workers. Released Aug. 28, 2025, it showed that 92 percent of firms hiring workers are struggling to find qualified candidates. Nearly nine in ten contractors have openings for trade workers, while four in five seek salaried staff.
“Construction projects of all types are being delayed because there aren’t enough qualified workers available for firms to hire,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist.
Construction continues to offer strong earning potential, with apprentices nationwide earning a median annual salary of $99,840, according to a January 2025 Wisconsin Technical College System report. In Wisconsin, the median apprenticeship salary reached $96,733, according to the Daily Reporter.
Recent data from ConstructConnect Chief Economist, Michael Guckes, in the August 2025 Construction Economy Snapshot showed that construction pay pressure remained elevated even as demand for workers softened.
This combination of high earning potential and sustained wage pressure highlights the urgency of expanding interest in the future talent pipeline.
Engaging Young Children at ‘Kids Building Wisconsin’
In May, Kids Building Wisconsin welcomed families and children from ages 3 to 12 to an interactive trade fair at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg. This year’s event attracted nearly 9,500 attendees and featured crane rides, virtual reality (VR) demos, painting, and engineering exhibits from a multitude of construction partners, including Tri-North Builders, Findorff, and Boldt.
A Kids Building Wisconsin attendee sits on a skid-steer loader from the 2025 event. The organizers reported that nearly 9,500 attendees joined the event, which was designed to inspire and encourage interest in construction. Image: Kids Building Wisconsin
Milwaukee’s WRTP BIG STEP Trades Academy Reaches Teens
The WRTP | BIG STEP Summer Trades Academy returned to Milwaukee from June 23–27. The week-long camp offered about 180 high school juniors and seniors an immersive introduction to skilled trades and apprenticeship opportunities. Students visited union halls, experienced VR simulations, equipment exposure, and site tours.
Apprenticeships Surge Across Wisconsin
While youth camps spark early interest, Wisconsin is seeing a pronounced rise in formal apprenticeship participation. Youth apprenticeship enrollment has more than doubled since 2019, reaching 11,357 students in 2025, according to the Daily Reporter.
Wisconsin now ranks 11th nationally in active apprentices per 1,000 residents, with about two-thirds of Wisconsin’s 17,509 active apprentices in 2024 pursuing construction careers in fields such as electrical, plumbing, and engineering.
Pre-apprenticeship programs are also expanding, with 2,029 participants across 2023–2024, concentrated mainly in urban areas like Milwaukee and Dane counties.
By broadening outreach through youth camps and strengthening apprenticeship pathways, Wisconsin’s construction industry is helping to fill gaps and reshape its future workforce.
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