They came together from different corners of Washington, each of them with a love for hands-on work.

Over 60 middle- and high-school students participated in the second-annual Construction Challenge on Feb. 7 at the Master Builders Association regional headquarters in Bellevue.

Ten teams competed in three timed events, each of which tested the contestants’ ability to communicate, solve problems, and create.

The challenge took place simultaneously at 16 rallies across the country, with the top-three high-school finishers and the number-one junior-high teams going on to the national tournament in Knoxville, Tenn. from May 19-23.

Builders have taken a hit since the nation’s financial-system began stumbling last fall. Employment in the construction sector declined by almost 12 percent in 2008, with 24,300 jobs lost, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.

But that trend could reverse if Congress approves the much-talked-about economic stimulus package that promises massive investments for shovel-ready public-works projects.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers estimates that every $1 million invested in infrastructure programs amounts to 35,000 new jobs, which could spell boom times for builders.

The association predicts there will be more than 1 million new construction jobs by 2012.

“We’ve taken a hit in the last year, but the construction industry has always recovered,” said Cathy Feole, head of the workforce-development wing for Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties.

The question is: who will be there to meet the demand once things are looking up again? Statistics show that the average construction worker is 52 years old, which means a retirement wave is coming.

Feole says it’s important to generate interest with today’s youth in order to fill the need, which is why her organization sponsors the Construction Challenge.

“We like to take every opportunity to get kids into construction because the jobs are so good,” she said.

It doesn’t take much convincing for many of the students involved in the challenge.

“I love this type of work,” said David Barber, who participated with a team from the Puget Sound Skills Center. “You get to step back at the end of the day, look at your project, and say ‘Wow, I did that myself.'”

Joshua Adam Hicks can be reached at 425-453-4290