Elaine Hayes highlights growing demand for construction and trade professionals as families, students, and job seekers explore career pathways through hands-on safety demonstrations and workforce engagement.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Workforce development advocates, industry leaders, and community partners gathered Saturday at EastChase Shopping Center for Go Build Alabama's Safety Discovery Day, an event designed to educate families about safety while introducing students and job seekers to rewarding careers in Alabama's skilled trades industries.
Held near Kohl's on Berryhill Road, the event combined public safety education with workforce recruitment efforts, creating a unique environment where attendees could learn practical safety skills while exploring employment opportunities in some of Alabama's most in-demand professions.
According to Elaine Hayes of Go Build Alabama, one of the event's primary objectives was to connect job seekers with opportunities in the skilled trades sector, where employers continue to face workforce shortages amid growing demand for construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, and related occupations.
"Today's workforce needs skilled professionals more than ever," Hayes explained. "The construction and skilled trades industries offer competitive wages, long-term career stability, and opportunities for advancement without requiring a traditional four-year degree. Events like this help expose people to those opportunities."
The Safety Discovery Day featured interactive presentations and demonstrations from a variety of community partners, including the Montgomery Fire Department, Montgomery Police Department, Goldfish Swim School, Montgomery Humane Society, Orkin, and local contractors working alongside Go Build Alabama.
Participants received hands-on instruction covering fire safety, community safety, water safety, pet safety, insect and pest awareness, and proper tool safety. The event also included a Touch-a-Truck experience, interactive activities for children, and demonstrations designed to engage attendees of all ages.
Organizers emphasized that workforce development begins with exposure and awareness. By bringing together public safety professionals, contractors, educators, and community organizations, the event showcased the broad range of careers available within Alabama's construction and skilled trades sectors.
Industry representatives also highlighted the increasing need for electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC technicians, heavy equipment operators, carpenters, and other skilled professionals as Alabama continues to experience economic growth and infrastructure investment.
The event served as a "Career Connection Point" for job seekers, allowing attendees to interact directly with employers and industry representatives who could provide information about apprenticeships, training programs, certifications, and employment opportunities.
As workforce challenges continue to affect industries nationwide, events such as Safety Discovery Day demonstrate the importance of connecting future workers with career opportunities while strengthening community awareness of both safety and workforce readiness.
For many attendees, the event offered more than just safety education—it provided a firsthand look at career pathways that are helping build Alabama's future.
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-- By James W. Thomas
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