Media Inquiries:
Katie Neibauer
HBA of Greater Des Moines/Iowa Skilled Trades
641.660.9198 (C)
Katie@DSMHBA.com

DES MOINES (Tuesday, April 2, 2024) – Iowa’s largest hands-on learning event is being held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Build My Future is brought to Central Iowa by Iowa Skilled Trades and their partners to help inform young people, educators and the community on the career opportunities that exist in the skilled trades. This is the fifth year for this event in the Metro and is the largest in its history with over 7,000 students signed up from over 160 schools across Iowa. Build My Future is excited to announce a new partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The event will now expand across Grand Avenue and into the Hall of Law. This area will feature opportunities focusing on careers in public service and safety.

2024 EVENT DETAILS:
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Iowa State Fairgrounds
7am – 3pm
www.iowaskilledtrades.com

We not only include both residential and commercial construction, but we also added hospitality, healthcare, trucking, law enforcement, military, and emergency services. As the students arrive at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, they will be welcomed by heavy equipment and hands-on displays that they will soon get the opportunity to operate. Once they are checked in, the participants are issued their own personal protective equipment (PPE) which will be required to do the activities safely. Each student will then be able to choose their own path of activities on the exhibitor floor, both inside and outside. In addition, each student will also receive free lunch provided by Great Caterers of Iowa.

Another exciting event within Build My Future is the Skilled Trades Signing Day. Iowa Skilled Trades will be hosting a signing day for students making the commitment to go into the trades as their chosen career. Governor Reynolds will also be visiting with exhibitors while trying the hands-on activities they offer in their booth. Her scheduled time of arrival is approximately 9:15am.

About Iowa Skilled Trades:
Iowa Skilled Trades was founded in an effort to provide support and educational information to build the skilled trades industries in Iowa. Iowa Skilled Trades focuses its initiatives on providing education and hands-on experience to high school students in Iowa who are interested in pursuing a skilled trades career.

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