Upcoming SPC Expo Highlights Growing Labor Demand in Construction

St. Petersburg College will host its second annual Construction Expo on April 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at the College’s Midtown Center, featuring live demonstrations, presentations by industry experts, and opportunities to explore various careers. There will be demonstrations of drone technology, field surveying, and AutoCAD technology.

This event is open to the public. SPC students, alumni and Pinellas County High School students will also be in attendance. The College’s $40 application fee will be waived for anyone applying to SPC at the event. Participants can speak with over 20 construction industry experts and learn about their future with SPC and the industry.

“Our goal with the Construction Expo is to provide career exposure experience to construction and what it means to be a construction worker. The jobs in construction pay high wages and provide a good opportunity for our students and the community,” said Sidney Martin, SPC’s Program Director of Engineering Technology.

In the next decade, 40% of the current U.S. construction workforce will be retiring. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median age of construction workers has risen, and half of construction workers are older than the age of 45. Industry leaders are turning to institutions like SPC to advocate for construction as a career for students.

Expo attendees will not only be able to explore career opportunities and construction trends but also learn about programs SPC offers in the construction field, such as the Field Survey Technician Certificate that enables students to find entry-level jobs in construction. Students also can obtain an Associate in Science degree in Building Design and Construction Management or a certificate in Sustainable Construction Technology at SPC.

“Many people do not realize there are great opportunities to move into management in construction and the variety of jobs available,” said Martin.

• Date: Wednesday, April 16
• Location: SPC Douglas L. Jamerson Jr. Midtown Center, 1300 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg
• Time: 9 a.m. to noon
• Registration: Construction Expo 2025
• Key Activities:
  • Company Exhibits: 9 a.m. - noon (Lobby)
  • Industry Presentations (15 mins): 9 a.m. - noon (Community Room)
  • Demonstrations: 10 a.m. - noon (Parking Lot)

For information, contact Tracy Garrett at 727-341-3172 or garrett.tracy@spcollege.edu.