Construction Rodeo Attracts and Educates Hundreds of High School Students

The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange (GCBX), a not-for-profit construction industry trade organization, recently held its second annual Construction Rodeo, an event that showcased information on careers in construction to high school students.

In partnership with the Sarasota Technical College and Manatee Technical College, about 300 students from Sarasota and Manatee Counties were bused to the event, which was held March 20 at the Sarasota Technical College. During the four-hour event, more than 35 local businesses, speakers and hands-on demonstrations helped show students the various construction-related career opportunities.

“There is so much opportunity in construction right now and so much talent in our schools,” said Mary Dougherty, executive director of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange. “This event is the perfect way to ensure our students know the career path to get into those vacancies that are right here in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. We looked at opportunities for young people in regards to internships or apprenticeships in construction, and we want to start opening these prospects up for them to help solve the construction-industry workforce crisis.”

Last year, the inaugural community event attracted more than 350 high school students looking to learn about these prospects. Over 20 students were given apprenticeship opportunities or jobs after the event.

About the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange

The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange was established in 1952 and is a not-for-profit corporation operating as a trade organization under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors as representatives of the industry. The not-for-profit organization represents a broad cross section of the building industry, including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and others from affiliated industries.

The GCBX membership is comprised of close to 400 companies in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. It includes some of the most respected contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, service providers and businesses in construction-affiliated industries. GCBX’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the building industry are conducted in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.