NEW BOSTON, NH — New Hampshire’s Construction Career Days (NHCCD) returned with 93 exhibitors and 30 pieces of operational heavy equipment at the ready for two half-day events at the Hillsborough County Youth Foundation Fairgrounds in New Boston, New Hampshire. In pouring rain, and some thunder and lightning, the first event faired with about 39 percent less students than were registered, but still had a crew of 430 students from 22 high schools. The second event's weather and student turn out were much sunnier, with 682 students from 25 schools.

There were multiple challenges and competitions, too.

Milton CAT of Londonderry New Hampshire, developed a scavenger hunt. They had five sites throughout the fairgrounds where students had to find and participate in order to get their ticket punched. Each participant received a CAT baseball cap and a chance to win a high-quality cooler.

Methuen Construction had the students fill out applications for co-op or full-time positions. Each student who completed the application was entered into a drawing. Methuen’s company swag, a Hilti drill, Dewalt radio, Milwaukee drill kit, and Craftsman tool kit were all raffled and awarded.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation offered the students multiple challenges in engineering, including building towers and bridges from raw spaghetti and marshmallows. Those who participated were in the running for VISA gift cards and school bragging rights.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) had the students hooked on a LEGO contest with giveaways for each participant. Build Your Future (BYF) also provided swag.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Granite State chapter offered the female students the opportunity to flex their muscles and complete the Girls Can, Too! Challenge for an opportunity to win Visa gift cards.

Construction professionals from both public and private, union and open shops, small business and multi-million-dollar companies, the tradespeople and the heavy equipment operators, the engineers and the laborers, plus secondary educational institutions and apprenticeship programs were represented at the event.

“We have successfully brought under one roof, every aspect of the industry for our students to experience for just a few short hours. If the job touches construction, it’s here for the students to experience,” said Catherine Schoenenberger, Founder and President of the nonprofit. “It’s amazing to watch how the kid that gets off the bus in morning with the teenage ‘this ain’t for me attitude’ get back on the bus less than four hours later, elated and eager to learn more about what a career in construction could mean for him/her.”

Construction Career Day events are workforce development tools that introduce high school students to the transportation construction industry and support the pipeline that will provide the professionals of tomorrow. This event increases career awareness through hands-on experience with heavy equipment, welding, small tools, plumbing, electrical wiring, carpentry, surveying, bridge construction, underground utilities, and other construction-related jobs.

From 2009 through 2022, well over 12,000 New Hampshire students have participated in these events. At the core, NHCCD events promote hands-on activities, safety, diversity, partnerships and teamwork, continuous improvement, and follow up for all of the students participating.

• Established 2009, 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation
• Founder: Catherine Schoenenberger
• Directors: Meghan Theriault, Eric Gustafson
• Coordinator: Jennifer Landon

• 1,112 students from 47 different New Hampshire programs
• Female Students: 15 percent
• Minority Students: 15 percent
• 96 exhibitors with 30 pieces of heavy equipment
• 315 exhibitor representatives; 50 volunteers; 139 chaperones