Build My Future Trades Career Fair Comes to Norman Oct. 22

Published: September 19, 2026 | By LocalJobPage Team

NORMAN, OK — If you'd rather build something than sit behind a desk, circle Thursday, October 22. The Build My Future Career Fair sets up at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Norman with more than 30 skilled-trades exhibitors, and from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. the floor belongs to adults who are ready to go to work.

A free, hands-on trades career fair about 20 miles down I-35 from downtown Oklahoma City: masonry, welding, electrical, construction and building supply, with employers ready to talk jobs the same afternoon.

Ready to search? Skip straight to the skilled-trades job links and start looking now →

📍 At a Glance

Event	Build My Future Career Fair
Date	Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time	3:00 – 5:00 p.m. (adult career fair)
Location	Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E. Robinson St., Norman, OK 73071
Cost	Free
Format	In person, hands-on exhibits
Registration	Encouraged, not required
Eligibility	Adults ready to work; the morning session is for registered students
Organizer	Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association

🔧 What Build My Future Is

The fair is run by the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association, the trade group for builders and suppliers across the metro. Its pitch is simple: put young people and career changers in front of the trades, and let them pick up the tools instead of reading a brochure.

Exhibits are interactive. The association lists masonry, welding, electrical, construction and lumber supply among the trades on the floor, and its event page names sponsors and exhibitors including ACME Brick, Builders FirstSource, Dolese Bros. Co., Pella Windows and Doors of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Natural Gas, AT&T, OSU and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. The full 2026 exhibitor roster had not been posted as of publication, so treat that list as a preview, not a guarantee of who is hiring which role.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission also carries the event on its statewide calendar and tells job seekers to bring copies of a resume and come ready to interview.

⚠️ Read This Before You Drive to Norman

The day runs in two parts, and they are for different people.

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. is Student Day. It is built for high school and career-tech students, and students must register in advance. Adults job hunting on their own should not show up in the morning.
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. is the career fair. This is the window for adults ready to work, and it is only two hours. Arrive early enough to make the rounds.

Job seekers are encouraged, but not required, to register ahead of time. Questions go to the association at (405) 843-1508.

💪 Why the Trades Are Worth a Look in Central Oklahoma

From new rooftops going up in Moore and Mustang to road work along I-35 and I-240, the metro keeps a steady call out for people who can frame, wire, weld and lay brick. Many trade paths start with an apprenticeship or on-the-job training rather than a four-year degree, which makes a fair like this a practical first step for anyone switching careers.

No hiring headcount has been announced for the event, and exhibitors have not published which positions they will fill on site. Go in with a resume, a few questions about apprenticeships and entry-level crews, and the expectation that some booths are recruiting while others are there to explain the path in.

📋 How to Show Up Ready

Several printed copies of your resume
A list of any certifications, licenses or tools experience you have
Your driver's license, since many crews travel between job sites
Work-ready clothes and closed-toe shoes for the hands-on exhibits

🔎 Start Searching Skilled-Trades Jobs Now

You don't have to wait for October 22. Plenty of metro contractors and suppliers are posting openings right now, and having a few applications in before the fair gives you something concrete to talk about at the booth.

Start here:

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Build My Future Career Fair?

Thursday, October 22, 2026. The adult career fair runs from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Student Day runs earlier, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where is it?

The Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E. Robinson St., Norman, OK 73071.

Does it cost anything?

No. Admission is free.

Do I have to register?

Adult job seekers are encouraged to register online but it is not required. Students attending Student Day must register.

What kinds of jobs will be there?

The focus is the skilled trades: masonry, welding, electrical, construction and building supply. Exhibitors have not published specific open positions, so ask each booth what they are hiring for.

Who do I call with questions?

The Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association at (405) 843-1508.

Get Ready Before Build Day

Create your free LocalJobPage profile so employers can find you, then browse every open job in the Oklahoma City metro.

Employers: Hiring crews, apprentices or yard staff? Post your openings on LocalJobPage and reach job seekers across central Oklahoma.