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Welcome to Build My Future, a construction show case for area high school students. We connect schools with the construction industry so that students can learn about potential career opportunities in the industry, shedding light on meaningful and good paying jobs. In 2024, 1,966 students, who might be interested in entering the industry attended the expo from 74 schools in a 25-county area.
Springfield Build My Future Collaborative invites schools from across southern Missouri to participate in a day of hands-on exhibits including activities representing:
And, more!
We welcome all schools — public, private, and home — in the area to join the Springfield event. We have schools drive three hours, so we offer a variety of arrival times to accommodate travel time.
ARE YOU LOCATED OUTSIDE OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI?
Check out our list of other events to find one near you. Or build your own event.
This page represents the original Build My Future collaborative based in Springfield, Missouri. Our local Build My Future 501(c)3 is a collaborative effort between non-profit trade associations, private companies, educational institutions, and labor unions.
Our committee includes Mid-America Carpenters Union, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, MoDOT, AGC of Missouri, The Builders – A Chapter of the AGC, Springfield Electric, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 15, Herrman Lumber, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 170, Decorating Den Interiors, Springfield Contractors Association, ProSource Wholesale, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 453, and the City of Springfield Department of Workforce Development.
The idea started in June 2016 with a forum of construction industry employers expressing ideas and common concerns regarding the lack of a pipeline of workers, training cost and lack of interest in the skilled trades from the emerging workforce. The Build My Future concept grew out of those meetings and hosted 900 students in 2017, the inaugural year. Today, Build My Future is the largest event of its kind in the country with thousands of students attending from a three-hour radius.
The Build My Future committee and board are excited to continue exploring opportunities for building the construction and trades industry through innovative workforce development strategies.
