Building Futures: SHBA’s Construction Camp Inspires the Next Generation of Skilled Trades

The Spokane Home Builders Association (SHBA), through its Frame Your Future initiative, continues to invest in the future of the building industry by creating meaningful, hands-on experiences for local students. One of the most impactful examples is the Annual Construction Camp, held at East Valley High School, where students step into a real-world construction environment and explore careers in the skilled trades.

Hands-On Learning with Real Impact

This year’s Construction Camp welcomed 27 high school juniors and seniors, each eager to learn and experience what a future in construction could look like. Throughout the day, students worked side by side to build fully functional garden sheds, gaining practical knowledge and confidence as they progressed.

Participants rotated through key construction disciplines, including:

• Carpentry – learning framing techniques and structural assembly

• Electrical – understanding basic wiring and jobsite safety

• Plumbing – exploring installation methods and system fundamentals

By actively participating in each phase of the build, students developed valuable technical skills while also learning the importance of communication, teamwork, and attention to detail.

Industry Professionals Giving Back

The success of Construction Camp is made possible by the dedication of SHBA members who volunteer their time and expertise. This year, approximately 20 SHBA member volunteers were on site, mentoring students, demonstrating techniques, and sharing their personal career journeys.

These volunteers provided more than instruction—they offered encouragement, insight, and real-world perspective. Their involvement helped students see firsthand the wide range of opportunities available within the building industry and the supportive community behind it.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Builders

Construction Camp is a cornerstone of SHBA’s Frame Your Future initiative, which was created to address the growing skilled labor shortage by inspiring young people to pursue careers in the trades. By providing immersive, hands-on experiences, the program introduces students to meaningful career pathways that are both rewarding and in high demand.

For many participants, the experience goes beyond simply building a shed—it builds confidence, sparks curiosity, and opens doors to future opportunities in construction and related fields.

Through programs like Construction Camp, SHBA is not only strengthening the local workforce pipeline but also empowering the next generation to see themselves as future builders, creators, and leaders in the industry.