Tools in Hand, Futures in Sight: Construction Career Day Marks 10 Years of Connecting Cape Cod Students with Local Careers
Hands-on learning gives students a chance to explore the industry and meet the professionals who build Cape Cod.
EAST FALMOUTH, MA. — Cape Cod supports 7,321 construction jobs. On Thursday, October 15, 2026, the 10th Annual Residential Construction Career Day will introduce approximately 300 local high school students to opportunities in the industry.
Presented by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (HBRACC) and the MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board (CIWB), the event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Hwy, East Falmouth, MA 02536. Admission is free for students, teachers and the general public. However, registration is required.
For 10 years, the two organizations have brought students together with the people who build, design, supply and support Cape Cod’s homes. Residential Construction Career Day gives students a chance to experience the work firsthand and discover career paths they may be able to pursue close to home.
Students will rotate through six zones to try hands-on activities, see demonstrations and speak with local professionals. They can ask about training, apprenticeships, internships and what a typical workday looks like in different parts of the industry.
For Max Cahoon, a 2023 graduate of Sturgis Charter School in Hyannis, attending Residential Construction Career Day offered an opportunity to explore a direction that suited his interests. He appreciated the hands-on learning and hearing from people working in the field about the industry’s growth potential on Cape Cod. Today, he works for DeMelo Brothers Landscaping.
“I felt a lot of pressure to go to college, but I knew it wasn’t the right path for me,” said Cahoon. “I never liked school. I like working outside and being in nature. At Residential Construction Career Day, I got to try things for myself and hear from people about the opportunities to grow in this industry on Cape Cod. Now I’m doing work I enjoy, I have no debt, I’m saving money, and I’ve been living independently for 3 years.”
The need for future workers is substantial. Construction employment on Cape Cod grew 15% from 2020 to 2025 and is projected to grow another 6% by 2030. Of the region’s construction workers, 2,119 are age 55 or older. Introducing students to these careers now can help local employers develop the workforce they will need in the years ahead.
The event reflects a shared goal: helping young people build their futures here while strengthening the workforce that builds Cape Cod.
“As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Residential Construction Career Day, we are proud to continue connecting students with hands-on career exploration and the many opportunities available within the construction industry. This event reflects the power of collaboration among educators and industry partners to inspire our future workforce and strengthen career pathways across the region,” said Kara O’Donnell Galvin, Executive Director of the MassHire Cape and Islands Workforce Board.
“With a housing crisis preventing most recruits from relocating here, we’re nurturing home grown talent, showing them they can make a great salary in roles AI isn’t replacing,” said Stefanie Coxe, executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, Inc.
Residential Construction Career Day will be held at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway (Route 151), East Falmouth, MA 02536. Attendees should enter at Gate 1. The rain date is Friday, October 16.
To register, or for more information, contact Samantha Fonseca at samantha@masshire capeandislandswb.com or admin@capecodbuilders.org.
The mission of the MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board is to strengthen the region’s workforce by connecting workers and employers with education, training and employment opportunities that support a thriving regional economy.
The mission of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (HBRACC) is to support home-ownership on Cape Cod and its trade members through legislative, educational, business, & civic endeavors.
Media – If you are interested in doing a story on Residential Career Construction Day or covering the event, please contact me, Margot Cahoon at 857-222-7139 or margot@twocrowscreativegroup.com. Thank you for your consideration!
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