Coordinated by Building Contractors Association of New Jersey, construction industry groups once again joined forces for the 7th annual Construction Industry Career Day (CICD) on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.

Friday's "Just Juniors" event saw more than 1,000 high school juniors and educators arrive for a free half-day introduction to careers in the construction industry. Saturday's event, open to the public, hosted 400 students, parents, educators, and career-seekers. Both days, visitors enjoyed numerous exhibits and interactive demonstrations conducted by members of New Jersey's construction trades. Representatives from various trade unions, trade associations and four-year colleges in New Jersey were on hand to answer questions about the construction industry.

Despite a weakening economy, commercial construction still plays an important role in New Jersey's economy and in the lives of its 8 million residents. Each year, CICD provides the opportunity for exhibitors to showcase the boundless opportunities that exist in construction, the second largest industry in the United States. It is designed to increase awareness that construction is a safe, creative and productive career that offers the opportunity for growth, fulfillment and economic success.

Organizations participating as major event sponsors included the Bricklayers Labor-Management Council of New Jersey, Building Contractors Association of New Jersey, Construction Roundtable of New Jersey, Construction Industry Advancement Program, Mechanical Contracting Industry Council of New Jersey, New Jersey Carpenter Contractor Trust, New Jersey Laborers' Employers' Cooperation Education Trust, and New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council.

The District Council of Northern NJ Ironworkers and the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades also committed to various levels of sponsorship. Other exhibitors included Bergen County Technical Schools; Electricians, Locals Nos. 400 and 456; Elevator Constructors, Local No. 5; Insulators, Local No. 32; Monmouth County Vocational School District; New Jersey Institute of Technology; New Jersey State Association of Pipe Trades; Operating Engineers, Local No. 825; Pennsylvania College of Technology; Rutgers, the State University; Sheet Metal Workers, Locals Nos. 22 and 27; the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship; and OSHA.

Superintendents, principals, guidance counselors, state agencies, community groups, and the general public are notified every year about CICD and the unique opportunity it provides for individuals to experience every aspect of the construction industry in a single venue. Educators and counselors receive two hours of professional development credit for attending.