RAPID CITY, S.D. — A new generation of builders will get their hands on tools of the trade during a youth-focused construction experience hosted by the Black Hills Home Builders Association (BHHBA), in partnership with Hills View Homes and the Boys & Girls Club of the Black Hills.
The event will take place Tuesday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 344 Isaac Street in Rapid City. Local youth from Boys & Girls Club locations across the Black Hills region will tour active job sites, interact with tradespeople, and participate in hands-on projects designed to introduce them to careers in construction.
“Our goal is simple: get kids and young adults excited about the trades,” said Corinne Perkins, Workforce Development Coordinator at BHHBA. “This event is all about exposing them to real opportunities in the skilled trades—careers that offer strong wages, job security, and room to grow. These are hands-on jobs that can’t be outsourced or replaced by automation.”
Attendees will walk through homes in various stages of completion in the Hills View development, learn about tools and equipment used on-site, and engage in interactive stations highlighting different trades such as framing, plumbing, and electrical work.
With more than 40% of today’s construction workforce expected to retire by 2031, events like these are part of a national push to address critical labor shortages in the skilled trades. The U.S. construction industry is projected to need nearly 440,000 new workers in 2025 alone.
“By giving kids a chance to tour job sites, meet real builders, and see the tools and equipment up close, we’re helping them picture themselves in this world—and hopefully, take the first step toward a future in it.” Perkins said.
For more information, contact the Black Hills Home Builders Association at (605) 348-7850 or email [email protected].
Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Location: 344 Isaac Street, Rapid City, SD 57703
