If you believe the statistics — and a whole slew of press — Generation Z is an emerging generation of men and women who are trading in their schoolbooks and strapping on tool belts.

In early October, Simpson Strong-Tie hosted nearly 400 high school students during Trades Day events at its facilities in Stockton, California; Riverside, California; and McKinney, Texas.

The National Center for Construction Education and Research has been recognized as a DEWALT Grow the Trades Grant recipient for its efforts to provide career and technical education programs and industry-recognized credentials to students through the High School Builder Program.

The Skilled Trades Advisory Council has officially earned nonprofit status. Founded one year ago, STAC is comprised of leaders across the construction, retail and skilled trades industries who joined forces to combat the crisis facing skilled labor in the U.S. and Canada.

As part of the summer-long, all-girls construction camp MyWIC, middle school and high school girls will visit Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 9:45 a.m. to participate in the Skilled Trades All-Star Program.

SKILLS JAM: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, the second season follow-up to the docuseries pilot season that debuted in 2023 and received more than 13 million views across social media, wrapped production in Atlanta last week, leaving 15,000 students and their parents in anticipation of the show’s September premiere.

Simpson Strong-Tie has joined the Board of Directors of the ACE Mentor Program to promote construction trade careers to high school students across the U.S. The partnership includes a $50,000 donation to ACE and the addition of Simpson Strong-Tie Vice President Annie Kao to the ACE national Board of Directors.

With the Philadelphia School District eliminating nearly all skilled trades- and construction-related curriculum from their middle schools, the Wagner Middle School will host an important introduction to the trades for 150 students on Saturday, Dec. 16, during a 3-hour workshop from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.