Elizabeth Roddy Named Top Wisconsin Workforce Developer
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin honored Roddy for her long-standing efforts in trade recruitment.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Jobs — General
Live Poll
Are local schools doing enough to promote skilled trade careers to students in your area?
Elizabeth Roddy has been named Workforce Developer of the Year by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin. She was recognized for her dedicated work in promoting construction as a viable career path to address the high demand for skilled workers.
Why it matters
Promoting construction trades is essential as the industry faces a critical need for skilled labor. Roddy's efforts have successfully bridged the gap between prospective candidates and the regional construction sector through strategic outreach.
Roddy brings 22 years of construction industry experience to her role as director of workforce outreach. The organization she represents currently oversees 2,500 active apprentices with nearly 1,000 more candidates currently in the qualification process.
The players
Elizabeth Roddy
She serves as the director of workforce outreach at the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin and is a board member for the Latino Academy.
Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin
This trade association represents the construction industry in Wisconsin and manages extensive apprenticeship training programs.
Workforce Development Board of Southwest Wisconsin
This agency manages regional job training resources and employment initiatives to support the local workforce.
The details
Roddy developed specialized recruitment materials for the organization and established partnerships with industry employers, community groups, and technical education teachers. She also founded the Construction Inclusion Committee and serves on the board of the Workforce Development Board of Southwest Wisconsin.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: Elizabeth Roddy was officially named Workforce Developer of the Year.
Market Landscape
Roddy's work reflects a broader industry shift toward proactive recruitment to counter the national trend of skilled trade shortages identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Her focus on inclusion and technical education partnerships mirrors industry-wide efforts to modernize the trade labor pipeline.
The strengthening of the apprenticeship pipeline may lead to more accessible career training paths for residents interested in construction. These recruitment efforts aim to stabilize labor costs and improve project completion times for the state's construction sector.
The takeaway
The recognition of specialized recruitment leadership underscores how essential deliberate outreach is for maintaining a healthy labor supply in skilled trades. Individuals interested in these career paths can benefit from engaging with local apprenticeship boards to gain entry into the construction workforce.
Further reading
For more information on employment trends in the region, visit the Wisconsin Jobs — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Reporter - WI Construction News & Bids.
Live Poll
Are local schools doing enough to promote skilled trade careers to students in your area?
