Ocean County, NJ – The 2026 Construction Trades Career Expo, hosted by the Ocean County Vocational Technical School was a successful event that highlighted the importance of trade schools in the construction industry. The event, held on May 6, 2026, was attended by several vocational school students, high school students, middle school students, the general public, and over 60 key construction industry employers.

Trade schools play a critical role in the construction industry by providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become skilled craft professionals. These professionals include equipment operators, carpenters, pipefitters, electricians, plumbers, welders, masons, and service technicians, among others. The construction industry relies on these skilled craft professionals to complete complex projects, and trade schools are instrumental in producing them.

One of the many highlights of the career expo was the onsite interviews that were conducted by the construction industry employers. The interviews provided an opportunity for students to showcase their skills and knowledge and potentially secure employment opportunities. It also allowed employers to meet and evaluate potential candidates for their future workforce.

The event also included break out panel discussions and Q&A’s covering the construction industry, employment expectations, and training opportunities. These sessions provided valuable information to attendees and highlighted the various career opportunities available in the construction industry. Panelists included representatives from Esposito Construction, Stavola, Redaelli Industries, Michael J. Wright Construction, All County Exteriors, Woodhaven Lumber, CMM Custom Homes, and National Women in Roofing.

The event was held at Shoretown Ballpark, home of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, located in Lakewood, New Jersey. The venue provided ample space for the event, including an area for the Excavator Rodeo—a competition featuring seven top heavy equipment operators from the region. Competitors included Esposito Construction, Kiely Builders, Stavola, George Harms Construction, Marlin Constructions, Earle Companies, and the OCVTS Heavy Equipment Operator Program. Vincent Durante, a student in the Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s Heavy Equipment Operator Program, was among the competitors. Congratulations to TJ Witmer and Team George Harms Construction on becoming the champions of the Excavator Rodeo Challenge.

The Construction Trades Career Expo is an annual community event that is free and open to the public. The event is a testament to the construction industry's commitment to promoting educational and career opportunities. The industry recognizes that its future depends on the ability to recruit, train, and employ the next generation of skilled craft professionals.

Today’s skilled craft professionals earn very competitive wages and benefits, and have access to various training and development opportunities to support their career objectives. They also have opportunities to advance into management positions or become future business owners. There are plenty of lucrative and fulfilling career opportunities in construction.

The 2026 Construction Trades Career Expo was a resounding success, and the event highlighted the importance of trade schools in the construction industry. The event provided valuable information to attendees and showcased the various career opportunities available in the industry. The construction industry is committed to promoting educational and career opportunities and is looking forward to welcoming the next generation of skilled craft professionals.





About Ocean County Vocational Technical School
Ocean County Vocational Technical School provides an intensive and immersive educational experience aligned with the current and emerging demands of business, industry, and advanced education. We instill the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for students to experience success in entering the workforce, advancing along a career pathway, and achieving career aspirations. Please visit www.ocvts.org to learn more.