As technology seems to be taking over every aspect of our lives, it’s easy to overlook the importance and potential of skilled trades. But these professions are vital in our society and poised for an exciting future. During Careers in Construction Month, 84 Lumber, the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials, is turning the spotlight toward these jobs to highlight lesser-known opportunities – roles that blend technical knowledge, problem-solving, and leadership that too often get overlooked in conversations about the construction industry.  

"84 Lumber might not be what someone would think about as a typical path into the construction industry," said Ken Kucera, vice president of installed sales and manufacturing at 84 Lumber. 

According to Kucera, 84 Lumber’s expanding presence across the U.S. offers unique career pathways in construction, ranging from yard worker to manager trainee, providing a broad array of options for anyone willing to roll up their sleeves and embrace hard work.

Not Just a Supplier—A Partner in the Field

“What surprises people most is how much happens before a single board hits the ground,” added Zac Martini, area manager at 84 Lumber. “We’re not just a lumber yard, we’re strategic partners. We help customers engineer smarter solutions, avoid delays, and bring their projects in on time and on budget. That’s why the people at 84 Lumber are essential to every project’s success.”

One example of 84 Lumber’s impact on the jobsite is a 21-unit luxury apartment building at 453 Franklin St., Melrose, Massachusetts. It required complex framing and strict fire-rated assemblies, all on a light commuter-rail site. 84 Lumber worked with developer Johnson Construction to deliver trusses, subfloor, LVLs, and fire-rated walls on a highly choreographed schedule.

“We had trusses as close as 30 inches in some areas, 24-inch LVLs to support HVAC boxes, and virtually no space to stage materials,” said Robert Johnson, founder of Johnson Construction. “84 Lumber was on top of every change. If we needed a boom truck or a police detail for delivery, they made it happen. That level of coordination is hard to find.”The relationship has since expanded into multiple projects, including one at 459 Main St. in Reading, and a third multifamily development now in preconstruction, a testament to how deeply integrated the two teams have become.

“These aren’t just material orders, they’re partnerships,” said Martini. “We get involved six months before groundbreaking. We deliver shop drawings, review structural specs, and talk through redesigns, all of which separate us.”

Shifting the Narrative on Skilled Trades

While construction demand grows, public understanding of the skilled trades continues to lag, especially among younger generations.

“I think the biggest issue is visibility,” said Kucera. “The skilled trades are deeply respected. People understand that we build America. However, for Gen Z, especially, there’s a disconnect. They’re not seeing the career paths or the success stories. They don’t realize just how high-paying, respected, and strategic these roles can be.”

Kucera emphasizes that the biggest barriers aren’t skills; they are perceptions.

“People think trades are a fallback. They’re not. They’re a launchpad,” added Kucera. “The pay is strong, the growth is real, and the work is meaningful. Every day, I see people move up – whether they started as yard associates or sales trainees. I’m proud when I see someone I hired get promoted. That’s the most rewarding part of my job.”

Martini sees this first-hand when hiring for 84 Lumber’s Manager Trainee Program, which accepts applicants from all backgrounds, no construction experience required.

“I came into this business after working in a restaurant and finishing college,” said Martini. “I didn’t know a thing about lumber or framing. But I had a work ethic, and 84 Lumber gave me the chance to learn. Today, I oversee multiple locations and partner with developers on multimillion-dollar projects. That path is open to anyone.”

84 Lumber is unusual not just in what it supplies, but in how it operates. The company develops its talent from within, investing heavily in mentorship, training, and advancement. That human-first culture translates directly into performance for customers like Johnson Construction.

“One thing that really stands out is how lean, but incredibly effective, the team is,” said Johnson. “We’re talking about four or five people on the 84 Lumber side running point on quoting, engineering, logistics – and they nail it. That kind of precision only works when you’ve got the right people, growing in the right culture.”

Martini credits that culture for his own rise and for the loyalty he sees across his teams.

“When I was new, people in leadership invested in me, taught me, challenged me, gave me room to grow,” said Martini. “Now, I do that for others. My job is to make sure my associates get a little better every day, and that they know there's no limit on where they can go. If you're all in, so are we.”

With a footprint in 34 states and growing, 84 Lumber offers countless opportunities across the country. From day one, new associates are given a chance to prove their capabilities and move up the ladder. The Manager Trainee program is designed to take individuals with a passion for learning and leadership, providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to succeed.

84 Lumber and Johnson Construction both believe that the future of construction lies in better collaboration, deeper training, and smarter project planning, and that the best way to meet demand is by growing talent from within.

“We need to start telling a better story about the skilled trades,” said Martini. “This isn’t just hammer-and-nails work. It’s engineering, logistics, customer service, and leadership. It’s project management and people management. We’re building the future – and we need more people to see the value in that.”

84 Lumber is the leading supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single and multifamily residences and commercial buildings. 

The company currently operates 320 facilities in 34 states, which include stores, component manufacturing plants, engineered wood product (EWP) centers and door shops. 

To learn more, visit 84Lumber.com or follow 84 Lumber on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. For career opportunities, visit 84Lumber.com/careers.