Celebrating National Construction Appreciation Week

Every year in September, we honor the hardworking people of the construction industry during National Construction Appreciation Week. Learn four easy ways to celebrate this event in 2024 and beyond.

What is National Construction Appreciation Week?

National Construction Appreciation Week was founded in 2018 to recognize all of the workers who help build our communities nationwide.

Construction is one of the oldest and largest industries in the world. National Construction Appreciation Week acknowledges industry professionals for their continued hard work, craftsmanship, and dedication.

When is National Construction Appreciation Week in 2024?

National Construction Appreciation Week is celebrated annually during the third week of September.

In 2024, National Construction Appreciation Week takes place from Monday, September 16 through Friday, September 20.

4 ways to celebrate National Construction Appreciation Week

Here are four simple ways to celebrate National Construction Appreciation Week at your business.

Encourage career growth

Provide career training to show workers you care about investing in their personal and professional growth.

Plan the options you'll offer based on the topics workers are most interested in. This may include technical skill training, a course on new terms and technology (like LEED certification), or general education (like communication skills or project management). If you have the capacity, offer a variety of courses and allow workers to choose which ones to attend.

Training can be conducted onsite, at a local college or trade school, or online based on availability.

Host a team building event

Construction workers don't get a lot of downtime on the job, so reserve a day for team building to give them a chance to relax and bond with their coworkers.

Just like with training, it's important to seek your workers' feedback before scheduling any events or activities to make sure whatever you plan aligns with their interests and expectations. If you have a large workforce, you may break groups of employees up into smaller teams.

See this list of team building activities from LinkedIn for inspiration. It covers options that will work for companies of all shapes and sizes. A few recommendations include:

• Team potluck

• Company picnic

• Community service

• Trivia night

• Escape room

• Board games

Be sure to officially reserve time for team building into the week's schedule, so employees don't feel pressured to skip the event and work instead.

Participate in a career fair

Workers may enjoy sharing their skills and experience with younger generations as a part of National Construction Appreciation Week.

It will take some planning it advance, but see if there are any job fairs, career days, mentoring programs, or other opportunities to connect with local high schools or trade schools. Workers can introduce young people to careers in construction and show them how important it is to continue growing our pool of skilled labor.

Communicate gratitude

The core purpose of National Construction Appreciation Week is to express gratitude for construction workers. So, be sure to clearly and effectively communicate that you are grateful for everything your workers do for your business and their communities.

In addition to a heartfelt message, you can also show your gratitude with a catered lunch, gift cards, or even just snacks and coffee, depending on your business's size and budget. When it's made sincerely, a little effort can go a long way.

Building a better world

From schools and housing to businesses and government offices, to the roads and bridges we travel every day, construction workers have committed their careers to making sure vital structures are both functional and safe.

While National Construction Appreciation Week is an excellent time to acknowledge construction workers, remember that those who build work hard on projects that benefit us all throughout the year. We should always make sure to show our appreciation.