SIBA Skilled Trades Summer Camp introduces high school students to construction careers
The 2026 Skilled Trades Summer Camp included a day at Ironworkers Local 392 in East St. Louis, one of five skilled trades involved in the week-long event. (Photo credit: SIBA/SICAP)
Five-day program gives students experience with five construction trade unions
More than 20 high school students spent the week of July 20-24, 2026, exploring rewarding careers in the construction trades during the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) Skilled Trades Summer Camp. The immersive, five-day program gave students the opportunity to visit union apprenticeship training centers and experience the work of skilled trades professionals through hands-on activities.
Sponsored by the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) and the Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program (SICAP), the annual camp introduced students to careers that offer paid apprenticeships, competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and long-term career opportunities without the burden of college debt.
Throughout the week, students trained alongside instructors and apprentices representing five construction trade unions:
Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council- Boilermakers Local 363
- Downstate Illinois Laborers District Council
- Ironworkers Local 392
- Sheet Metal Workers Local 268
Hands-on experience opens doors to high-demand careers
At each training center, students used industry tools, learned fundamental construction techniques, and gained a firsthand understanding of the skills required in each trade.
“The purpose of this camp is to give students experiences they simply can’t get in a classroom,” said Donna Richter, CEO of the Southern Illinois Builders Association. “We take them to different apprenticeship training facilities every day so they can work with the tools, meet the instructors and apprentices, and discover what each trade has to offer. For many students, it’s their first exposure to construction careers, and that’s exactly why this program is so valuable.”
Richter noted that the program continues to attract strong interest each year while intentionally maintaining a small class size to ensure every participant receives meaningful, hands-on instruction. This year’s camp also included three female students, reflecting the growing number of young women exploring careers in the construction industry.
The camp also highlighted the financial advantages of union apprenticeship programs. Participants learned that apprentices earn wages while they train and often receive tools needed for their trade. Upon completing their apprenticeships, graduates enter the workforce with valuable skills, competitive pay, health insurance, and pension benefits—without accumulating college debt.
The Skilled Trades Summer Camp is part of SIBA’s ongoing workforce development efforts to address the growing demand for skilled construction professionals throughout Southern Illinois. In addition to the summer camp, SIBA hosts two construction career expos, provides grants to schools with vocational education programs, and awards scholarships to students pursuing degrees in construction management, construction-related engineering, architectural-interior design, and construction safety.
For more information, contact SIBA at (618) 624-9055 or visit www.siba-agc.org.
