Trades Day is meant to excite and introduce students to a variety of construction and building trades by providing real life, HANDS-ON, and interactive trade stations. The students will learn directly from craftspeople who will speak about their path to getting to where they are, what they enjoy about what they do, salary range, and misconceptions about the trades. All ACE students entering the AEC work force will benefit from participating in Trades Day. *Trades Day is not a Trades Show or Job Fair.

The purpose is to introduce trades to students for exposure to the entire industry and not just a part of it. Recruitment of students, mentors, volunteers, sponsors, donors, & community partners. Introduce ACE and the mission to the community and bolster relationships within the AEC communities.

Trades Days are powered by Stanley Black and Decker and their Empower Makers initiative

The first preference for the grant is to cover transportation, however, upon the submission of a sub application, National will work with affiliates to fund the most pressing needs. The timeframe for the grant is the 2024-2025 season. For how to apply, click the link below. The post-survey is a requirement of the sub-grant. Awardees will be asked to distribute the surveys to all students who attend the event. Results will be provided both to the donor and to the individual affiliate. The link to the survey is provided below.

Typical document needed and provided for trades day. Please download and make changes as needed before using.

Sample trades day stations/activities. If your affiliate is willing to provide instructions on other types of trades day activities please send to your regional director so we can share with other affiliates.

Here are templates you can use to market trades day. We suggest having at least two months of marketing prior to the event.