Over 1,100 students attend Experience the Trades Expo in Waukesha County

More than 1,100 middle and high school students from Waukesha County and surrounding areas explored careers in construction and manufacturing at the Experience the Trades Expo, held at the Waukesha County Expo Center on Oct. 7. The event marked the fifth annual expo organized by the Waukesha County Business Alliance.

The expo featured more than 30 businesses that provided interactive exhibits and demonstrations to introduce students to opportunities in skilled trades, manufacturing, and related fields. Students participated in activities such as creating and pouring molds, virtual welding, operating a 3D printer, laser etching, exploring electricity and circuit boards, and using power tools, among others.

Participating companies included Husco, Eaton, INNIO, Milwaukee Tool, VJS Construction Services, Lemberg Electric, Veit and several others. These businesses gave students direct interaction with industry professionals to learn about skills required for various career pathways.

“Events like Experience the Trades give students the opportunity to see themselves in careers they may not have considered before,” said Amanda Payne, President & CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance. “By putting students directly in front of employers and giving them the chance to try these skills for themselves, we can help them better understand the many rewarding opportunities available right here in our community.”

The alliance said workforce remains a top challenge for local businesses. The Experience the Trades Expo aims to connect students with employers while highlighting growth potential within construction and manufacturing sectors. The event also allowed educators and industry professionals to collaborate on helping students understand pathways from classroom learning into workforce roles.

The Waukesha County Business Alliance works to strengthen the local economy through advocacy efforts focused on economic growth initiatives such as development and engagement programs; it represents over 1,200 member companies employing more than 120,000 people across diverse industries throughout Waukesha County, according to its official website.