Hillman and FC Cincinnati Host Second Annual Trade School Discovery Day to Introduce Local Students to Skilled-Trade Careers
Key Highlights
- ➤Cincinnati construction employment grew 11%, adding 5,800 jobs from June 2024 to June 2025
- ➤Local construction industry faces a persistent worker gap, Workforce Council reported in June 2026
- ➤Hillman and FC Cincinnati hosted second annual trade-career event for over 100 students
- ➤Hands-on sessions covered construction, roofing, automotive, culinary, and plumbing careers
Expert Statements
Lauren Edwards, Vice President of Marketing at The Hillman Group
“At Hillman, our mission is to empower those who fix, build and create, and that includes helping inspire the next generation of professionals. As demand for skilled workers continues to grow, it's important that young people understand the rewarding career paths available to them. Through our partnership with FC Cincinnati and the support of local trade professionals, we're proud to provide hands-on experiences that help students discover new possibilities for their futures.”
Kate Solomon, Chief Youth and Community Officer at FC Cincinnati
“FC Cincinnati is proud to partner with Hillman on Trade School Discovery Day and help young people across our community explore the many opportunities available to them. TQL Stadium is a place where we want young people to be inspired, whether that’s through soccer or experiences like this that can open their eyes to a future they may not have considered. We’re grateful to Hillman and all of the participating organizations for investing their time and expertise in the next generation of Cincinnati’s workforce.”
CINCINNATI, Oct. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hillman Solutions Corp. (Nasdaq: HLMN) (“Hillman”), a leading provider of hardware and related products, partnered with FC Cincinnati to host the second annual Trade School Discovery Day at TQL Stadium. The event brought together approximately over 100 students from Cincinnati Public Schools and Winton Woods City School District for a day of hands-on career exploration, introducing them to opportunities in the skilled trades and connecting them with local industry professionals.
The event comes at a time of significant opportunity and need within the region's skilled trades. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment in the Cincinnati metro area grew by 11% between June 2024 and June 2025, adding 5,800 jobs and bringing total construction employment to approximately 60,000 workers. Despite that growth, the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio (the “Council”) reported in June of 2026 that the local construction industry continues to face a persistent gap between demand for workers and the number of people entering and remaining in these careers. The Council identified limited access to hands-on learning and unclear pathways from school to employment among the challenges affecting the region's talent pipeline.
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