ACE Mentor Program (ACE) and Simpson Strong-Tie (NYSE: SSD) announced their 2024 partnership to promote construction trades careers to high school students across the US. The partnership includes a $50,000 donation to ACE and adds Simpson Strong-Tie Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Annie Kao to the ACE national Board of Directors.

The ACE Mentor Program connects high school students with experts from the design and construction industry. In partnering with Simpson Strong-Tie, ACE students will be able to participate in an annual Trades Day, which will be held at Simpson Strong-Tie locations throughout the US in October 2024. For this inaugural event, Simpson Strong-Tie will provide tours of their manufacturing operations, research and development lab tests, hands-on building activities using Simpson Strong-Tie products, giveaways, and more. The company’s employees will be on hand to discuss their job expertise and insights, inspiring high school students to pursue a career in the construction trades.

Simpson Strong-Tie will also support ACE through its annual Do What You Can Day event, which enables Simpson Strong-Tie employees across the country to give back to their local communities.

“We’re thrilled about the partnership with Simpson Strong-Tie. It perfectly aligns with our mission to educate students about the benefits of trade careers. Addressing the labor shortage in construction is crucial for our industry, and we’re eager to engage students and offer volunteer opportunities through this collaboration,” says Diana Eidenshink, President of ACE Mentor Program.

“Our partnership with ACE furthers one of our social impact priorities of educating students about trades jobs and the numerous benefits of a career in the trades. Getting more people into the construction trades is a key goal for us. Helping to alleviate the labor shortage benefits our whole industry, and we’re excited to work with ACE on engaging students in their program, while giving our employees opportunities to volunteer,” notes Simpson Strong-Tie CEO Mike Olosky.

For more information about ACE, visit acementor.org.