TradeUp!

Inspiring kids to pursue construction careers as a lifelong profession

TradeUp! (formerly C.A.C.T.U.S.) is an organization dedicated to inspiring young people to pursue the wide range of quality career options in construction, architecture, and trades. This weekly, year-long afterschool program engages middle schoolers with hands-on, immersive activities with the help of real-world craft professionals to inspire curiosity about their built environment. After gaining skills in a variety of professions including drafting, masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, students apply their knowledge by building a new structure for their school, such as a picnic table or garden planter. Ultimately, students complete the program with a better understanding of the exciting career possibilities in construction and trades.

Testimonials

Damien Tommy Ruiz, 13, said he liked projects involving copper pipes and wiring lightbulbs. "It helps me see stuff so that I really question how it works. It allows me to see it from a different perspective," Damien said. "I was thinking of being an engineer."

Mia Quema, 13, said she has dreams of being an architect. Mia enjoyed learning about design while spending time with other students to experience real-world engineering. "You get to meet other actual professional architects and they talk to you, and they help you out to understand how to measure it, how to create dimensions and lengths," Mia said.