WHEELING — More than 1,000 students from across the Ohio Valley visited the annual Project BEST Building Construction Trades Showcase at Wheeling Park on Wednesday.

Dozens of companies and trade workers set up informational tables inside the park’s skating rink to talk with the students about their offerings in training and jobs.

Outside in the parking lot students got a hands-on look at some trades by operating a crane and a backhoe, finishing concrete, trying on mining safety equipment and more.

Project BEST Director Nathan Butts said the event is an important one for the trades to attract new people into the fields of work.

“We had over 1,000 kids from 30 different school districts come and learn about all the various union trades, along with some of the local contractors. Some banks were here for financial literacy, tool companies, and we also had some two-year and four-year colleges with their construction programs,” he said.

“It’s important for kids to learn about these opportunities, specifically with the trades, because college debt has become a big talking point,” Butts added. “We just want them to know there’s an opportunity for them right when they graduate and not go into debt, and how to be a trained apprentice and get paid while they are training to be a full-time journeyman.”

Butts pointed out new apprentices are needed to fill open jobs now and into the future. He said it has been estimated that in the next five to 10 years, 500,000 construction jobs will need to be filled.

He estimated across the union trades a general starting wage could be anywhere from $18 to $25 per hour, plus benefits.

Jennifer Long, a member of the Plasterers and Cement Mason Finishers Local 926, was busy showing students like Connor Darlington of Edison High School how to finish concrete during the showcase. She said the past two years the students’ interest in the trades has grown.

“It’s been a really nice group of kids the last two years. They really seem interested and they’re all coming over here to try every trade we have out here,” she said. “They’re really showing interest in the trades. I think every trade is looking for help.”

Darlington said it was interesting to try different trades out, but is most interested in carpentry.

“I just like to use my hands and make an impact,” he said.

Bridgeport High School students Thad Cooper and Landrum Robbins were learning more about drone usage by American Electric Power meter electrician Timothy Bradley.

Both students said the event was helpful to learn more about the trades and potentially what job to choose in the future.