Worcester Business Journal

10 Worcester Business Journal | April 20, 2026 | wbjournal.com BY ERIC CASEY WBJ Managing Editor A t one end of a Marlbor- ough convention center, a high school student carefully grips a nail gun, guided by an in- dustry professional. Across the room, another student pulls a fire alarm as part of a demonstration. For Central Massachusetts' con- struction industry, the question isn't whether students can handle the tools. It's whether enough of them will choose to. "A lot of reputable contractors in the area have retired, and there aren't enough younger guys stepping in to replace them," said Ben Lapin, operating manager of Salisbury Con- struction in Worcester. "So you've got a shrinking workforce and not much behind it." Held April 2, the fourth annual Trade and Construction Expo drew hundreds of high school students from across the MetroWest region, offering hands-on exposure to careers in the trades. Organized by the Metro South/West Workforce Board and the 495/MetroWest Partnership, the event is part of a growing effort to steer students, especially those outside vocational schools, toward construction careers. e fire alarm display was set up by Billerica-based Interstate Electrical Services, while the nail gun demonstration was from Wisconsin-based Milwaukee Tool. Behind the demonstrations and virtual simulators is a more urgent e housing crisis' labor problem Facing an aging workforce, construction firms are now recruiting traditional high school students New Mass. housing permits As developers have dealt with higher interest rates, construction costs, and a lack of workers, Massachusetts' housing production has declined. Ben Lapin of Worcester-based Salisbury Construction said finding younger workers to replenish the aging construction field remains a challenge. PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 18,296 19,163 13,960 14,659 12,209 New housing permits

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