VIENNA, Ohio – The Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania is entering 2026 with strong momentum and a clear focus – with growing opportunity for members, expanding workforce efforts and investing in the region’s future.
“We’re only in the first quarter of the year, and we’re already up 12 percent in manhours compared to the same period in 2025,” said Kevin Reilly, executive vice president at The Builders.
Membership involvement in current and ongoing large-scale projects is helping drive that growth.
Work continues on Mercy Health’s emergency care center in Champion, a new Shepherd of the Valley campus in Salem and the recently completed indoor training center for Austintown Schools. There’s also continued construction activity at the Foxconn facility in Lordstown, along with potential data center developments across the region.
In January 2026, Ken Reid joined The Builders’ leadership team as the new association services director.
“A lot of my time has been focused on our apprenticeship programs – meeting with instructors, our committees and making sure everything runs smoothly,” Reid said. “I’ve also been spending time with members and unions, learning who they are and what they need.”
He’s helping to bring more visibility to the roofing and masonry programs, which need a workforce boost.
“The trades aren’t a fallback. They’re a pathway to stability, great wages, strong benefits and a pension. You can start building that life right out of high school,” Reid said.
As Reilly points out, it’s urgent to continue finding new talent.
“We need to keep promoting the trades – not just to fill the jobs we have now – but to replace the workers who are retiring in their 50s with full pensions,” he said.
Upcoming workforce development initiatives include the third annual Adirondack chair pre-apprenticeship competition and pre-apprentice scholarships this spring. March featured the annual YSU Estimating Contest, now in its 17th year, as well as the annual guidance counselor presentation, connecting educators directly with skilled trades career pathways.
The Builders will also begin planning the next Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo, after a record-setting year with over 6,000 students in attendance. The three-day, hands-on event targets middle and high school students.
New in 2026, The Builders will have a storefront inside Junior Achievement’s BizTown USA and Finance Park coming to Eastwood Mall, which will introduce even younger students to the construction industry.
“This is our commitment toward educating the community,” Reilly said. “There’s more than just being a trades worker. There are opportunities in estimating, project management and engineering. We want students to see the full picture.”
