Last month, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) joined state lawmakers and industry leaders to recognize Wisconsin’s designation of October as Careers in Construction Month and to spotlight the growing demand for skilled trades workers across the state.

Christina Jungwirth, interim associate dean of advanced manufacturing and skilled trades at NWTC, said state leaders understand the importance of supporting the construction workforce.

“Luckily in our state our legislators realize the need for construction workers and the important work that they do for us,” Jungwirth said. “They thought that it would be fitting to declare at the state level, to honor those in that field.”

Jungwirth said workforce demand remains especially high throughout the region.

“We have a huge demand for construction workers in northeast Wisconsin specifically,” she said.

Construction currently makes up nearly 6% of Wisconsin’s workforce, and industry projections estimate nearly 500,000 new skilled workers will be needed nationwide in 2026. 

That demand is also being felt locally. Door and Kewaunee counties continue to experience tight labor markets and low unemployment rates, both below the national average. This forces employers in several industries, including construction and manufacturing, to compete for skilled workers.

Jungwirth says that NWTC continues to expand training opportunities to help meet workforce needs through hands-on instruction and partnerships with employers and schools throughout the region.

“NWTC has not only our regular college classes for those interested in going into the trades, we also have apprenticeship programs,” Jungwirth said.

She added that outreach efforts begin well before students reach college age.

“We work with high schools and other community organizations to draw interest so that we can support the needs in Door County, and in other communities in northeast Wisconsin,” Jungwirth said.

According to NWTC’s most recent graduate survey, construction-related programs at the college report a 100% employment rate, underscoring the continued demand for skilled workers in the trades.

Careers in Construction Month is intended to bring together educators, employers and community organizations to promote opportunities in the industry and encourage the next generation to pursue construction careers.