FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ken Krattenmaker
pr@glass.org
Vienna, Va. (Sept. 2, 2026) — Two hundred Clark County high school students will converge on downtown Las Vegas to build virtual skyscrapers, compete in glass skill competitions, learn how glass is made, make industry contacts and polish their interview skills, at GlassBuild America 2026, Sept. 23–25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The skyscrapers may be simulated, but the learning will be real for the technical education students, as they participate in a unique career immersion program introducing them to opportunities in the glass and glazing industry.
“College costs are skyrocketing. Parents and students alike increasingly question the value of a four-year degree, and students worry about starting their adult lives deep in debt. The glass and glazing industry offers an alternative path to a rewarding, fulfilling career that begins immediately after high school,” said Lakisha Woods, president and CEO of the National Glass Association (NGA), organizers of the event.
During the three-day expo, building trade students will experience hands-on learning stations, including a skills challenge that lets them test their abilities with real-world tasks. They’ll suit up in harnesses and protective gear, using VR technology to simulate the experience of installing glass on high, offering a safe yet realistic look into life on the job. Manufacturing students will get an up-close look at the machinery and equipment used to create the glass and the career paths available to them.
Industry veterans and local union representatives will advise the students about skills and education pathways that lead to successful glass careers. Experts will alert participants to high school courses, safety training and practical work experience that can prepare them for working in the glass industry. Students will also learn basic interview techniques, helping them take their first steps into future employment with confidence.
“Our goal is to spark curiosity and show students that a rewarding career in the glass industry is well within reach,” said Jenni Chase, VP of Workforce Development for NGA. “The combination of hands-on experiences and career counseling will help them visualize the opportunities that await them beyond high school.”
The glass industry is growing, with 51,000 job openings for glass installers projected over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the manufacturing side, production personnel and supervisors are in high demand (Glass Magazine, 2026 Top Fabricators Report). Both career paths in the glass and glazing industry offer competitive wages, benefits packages and clear advancement opportunities.
GlassBuild is the largest annual gathering of the glass, window, and door industries in North America. By connecting students directly with professionals, NGA aims to cultivate the next generation of glass installers, engineers and innovators who will shape the future of this vital sector.
PHOTO AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITY ADVISORY
Fri., Sept. 25, 10:00 AM–12:30 PM: Students participating in the VR simulation of installing glass on a skyscraper and other skills challenge activities will be available for photography and interviews regarding their career preparation.
###
ABOUT GLASSBUILD AMERICA
GlassBuild America, glassbuildamerica.com, is the largest annual event for the entire glass, window and door industries in the Americas. Produced by the National Glass Association (NGA), GlassBuild America is where buyers and sellers meet and learn how to solve their most pressing challenges. In 2026, GlassBuild America was named a Trade Show Executive’s (TSE) top GOLD 100 trade show for the fifth year in a row, and a Fastest 50 Award winner as one of the fastest-growing trade shows in the U.S. Follow GlassBuild on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT NGA
Founded in 1948, the National Glass Association (NGA), glass.org, combined with the Glass Association of North America (GANA) in 2018 to form the largest trade association serving the architectural glass and metals industry supply chain, including glazing contractors, full-service glass companies, glass fabricators, primary glass manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. It is a technical powerhouse that brings some of the best minds to the table to create technical resources and promote and advocate for glass in buildings. NGA’s education and training resources—including MyGlassClass.com, MyGlassFAB, and Glazier Apprentice Curriculum—and its official publications Glass Magazine and Window + Door, keep the industry knowledgeable and well informed. NGA also produces the industry’s largest annual trade show in the Americas, GlassBuild America, and hosts these conferences: NGA Glass Conferences, Building Envelope Contractors (BEC) Conference, and NGA Glass Fabricator Conference (GFAB). Contributions to The NGA Foundation support training the industry and educating consumers about the many ways glass and glazing contribute to a safe, healthy, sustainable, and inspiring built environment. Follow NGA on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.