THE NEW FACE OF THE TRADES
Instead of college, today, more top students (male and female) are choosing a career path into the trades.
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER
The justification that school teaches you about life, not about work, sent so many more kids to college than into the trades, that today, we have vast numbers of adults prepared for nonexistent jobs, while available job openings remain unfilled.
The Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition (NCTWC) is working to change that by introducing students to the trades as early as second grade.
We live in a rapidly evolving knowledge economy with increased automation and global competition, where the number of openings for those with advanced degrees is significantly smaller than the number of jobs available not requiring that level of education.
Top scholars and athletes like Alex Dominguez felt pressure to go to college from adults and peers who viewed entering the trades as “just something to fall back on.”
The best possible outcome when choosing between college and career and technical education (CTE) helps children find their passion, AND their profession.
“One choice isn’t better than the other,” said NTCWC Coalition President Doug Ford.
Stepping Out of the Box
Alex Dominguez had been on the engineering tract but after graduating from Saratoga Springs High School in 2023, he knew after just one semester at Clemson University that he was on the wrong path.
“I felt like I was sitting on the sidelines and wasn’t as engaged as I anticipated,” said Alex. “So, I stepped away from engineering and gravitated toward the trades and construction. Then, I took a leap of faith and connected with Doug Ford and the Coalition.”
By January 2024, the Coalition had arranged for Alex to participate in multiple day-long job shadowing opportunities with construction contractors. After this experience, Alex was offered employment at Munter Enterprises in Clifton Park (whose portfolio of commercial construction projects includes Druther’s Brewing Company, the Saratoga Regional YMCA, and Rocksport in Queensbury, among others).
“It’s really been awesome. They’ve taught me a lot,” said Alex. In addition to witnessing the fruit of his labor first-hand, Alex is learning creative problem-solving skills and how to work in a team environment. He is developing transferable skills including steel erection, carpentry, drywall, drop ceiling, insulation, and window installation. As a field laborer, he is an extra set of hands on-site while pouring concrete foundations and performing floor renovations. In just a few months, he has already had the opportunity to operate machines and learned a bit about electric and plumbing, as well.
“For anyone hesitant about the trades, I’d say to them, you’re making assumptions without really knowing. You don’t have to be a huge body-builder and do crazy things. It’s more about being flexible with what you think you’re able to do. People have an idea about themselves and put themselves in a box, thinking they can’t work outside, or are afraid of getting dirty, but it changes your perspective when you give it a shot. You learn you’re a lot more capable than you might assume,” said Alex.
Slashing Stereotypes
In research published by the National Library of Medicine, those with CTE are more likely than those with other forms of advanced education to belong to economically disadvantaged minority groups, participate in unhealthy, risky behavior, and be exposed to psychological distress, leading to higher rates of disease and an increased risk of mortality.
Ford feels that while unhealthy lifestyle choices may be more visible among those working in the trades, they are just as prevalent in other industries, especially with workers that aren’t seen often, as with employees who work remotely.
Alex said he’s looking forward to growing his skills, getting to know about how job sites work, and being the best he can be for his team and for the project at hand. “I want to learn all the skills and be immersed in field work, but I’m also interested in other avenues, like becoming a leader,” he said.
Other forms of education also don’t have the level of engagement built-in, that Alex has experienced after just a short time working with the Coalition.
“Mr. Ford and the Coalition haven’t just set me up, he checks up on me, invites me to events, and wants to educate more young people like me that this is something a lot of people can be interested in,” said Alex. “It’s really an amazing program. You’re being set up for success. They really want you to grow and flourish.”
Dashing Assumptions
Beginning in 2018 as the Capital Region Workforce Development Coalition, the program is the brainchild of Curtis Lumber’s Vice President of Public Relations Doug Ford, and former executive assistant Pam Stott.
According to the Department of Labor, there are more than 60,000 job openings in construction every month across the nation. The shortage of skilled construction trade workers is felt locally, as well. Engaging with contractors every day who were looking for labor, Ford and Stott realized that to fill these jobs more education was needed informing students about the trades.
“We did significant research in the early years to really understand the problem and found that school staff and counselors didn’t have the tools to talk with students about the trades. As an industry, the trades historically have not been in the schools educating and promoting themselves.”
Through the program, hundreds of elementary, middle, and high school students became involved in presentations, career day expos, business, and work site tours, connected with job shadowing experiences, and participated in hands-on builds.
Students discover that the pay for those working in the trades is higher, the jobs more secure, and the work safer (and less physically demanding) than they previously assumed. Technology, science, math, and design are all part of today’s trades work.
Stretching Their Reach
Initially sponsored by Curtis Lumber and the Saratoga Builders Association (SBA) the Coalition now has expanded to include 50 organizational and business participants and works with more than 40 schools and several colleges.
To reflect their expanded reach, the group was recognized as a 501(c)(6) in March and officially relaunched in April as the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition.
“We didn’t know how it was going to grow and didn’t anticipate its growth to expand well beyond Saratoga County,” said Stott, the Coalition’s Executive Director. “Our membership includes professionals and businesses from various sectors including competitors within the industry. Everyone recognizes the common goal of the need for labor in the trades.”
Another important component of the Coalition’s mission is improving the visibility of trades in government.
“Legislators have done a 180, they didn’t realize the significance of the problem,” said Ford, who has worked to help identify workforce development as a legislative area of focus and brought students to meetings with legislators and lobbyists in Albany so they can hear from the children directly impacted by the issue.
“Housing is fundamental to any community and comes on the backs of the tradespeople. How a community flourishes comes from the trades. Housing is extremely critical to the dynamic fabric of any community and education in the trades are a key part of that,” said Ford.
“Just go to college, you’ll figure out what you want to do while you’re there,” is a statement students like Rachel Wilbur have heard, and often.
Homeschooled through 12th grade, Rachel was working at a farm when she joined the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) BOCES Employment Training for Adults (ETA) program to study automotive technology in January.
“I walked in with zero experience. I knew basically nothing, but they made sure I walked out with more knowledge and experience. I’d 100-percent recommend them to anyone,” she said.
“I’d encourage kids to take time after high school and not jump right into college if they don’t know what to do,” she continued. “Take a few years. College is very time-consuming and very expensive – those aren’t things you’re able to get back. Make money until you figure out what you want to do. It will help you out in the long run. There are so many options out there.”
Rachel enjoyed the hands-on teaching style at WSWHE BOCES, and never felt overwhelmed, spending just three hours, twice a week, taking two classes.
“I had great teachers and at BOCES they took the time to make sure I understood what I was doing before sending me out. It’s one of the best ways of learning.”
After graduating in March, Rachel began working at Saratoga Honda as a Technician-in-Training. By fall, she hopes to be an Express Technician performing oil changes and tire rotations on her own.
As the only girl in her electrical class, Rachel said she never felt out of place.
“Thankfully, I chose a trade that’s very, very, very accepting of women,” said Rachel. “In class, they never treated me any different and were just so nice and welcoming. It made me comfortable enough to come back.”
At Saratoga Honda, Rachel works with several other women, including her boss.
“They’ve accepted me with open arms,” she said.
The WSWHE BOCES offers Adult, Career and Technical Education, Early College, and Enrichment courses. In their continuing education programs, students obtain the skills necessary for careers in the skilled trades. Classes include welding, commercial driving, computer skills, machining, and a variety of healthcare disciplines. For more information, go to https://www.wswheboces.org
Women at Work
More women than ever are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities in the trades. Through financial assistance provided by the AnnMarie Mitchell Legacy Fund (named in honor of the former CEO of Legacy Timber Homes) women interested in advancement in the industry are awarded apprenticeships, childcare, tools, and training. The fund has also helped further initiatives by the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition including a program with six schools and six companies building six sheds in just five hours.
“They used power tools, really got in there, and were doing it. They loved it,” said NCTWC Executive Director Pam Stott.
In May, an all-female vertical garden building event took place with girls in grades 10-12 at the Whitbeck Training Center in Gansevoort. The finished projects will be for sale at the Capital Region Parade of Homes in June.
INDUSTRY MIXER PROMOTES THE TRADES
Photo No. 1: NCTWC Board Member Dr. Denise Fernandez-Pallozzi and her husband.
Photo No. 2: Assemblywomen, Carrie Woerner and Mary Beth Walsh, joined by Pam Stott, Executive Director, NCTWC, Doug Ford, VP Public Relations & Purchasing, Curtis Lumber and Barry Potoker, Executive Director, SBA.
Photo No. 3: Attendees Ginny & Arthur Zobel, Zobel & Co. Kitchens
Photo No. 4: Matt Whitbeck, NCTWC Board V.P. and Owner Whitbeck Construction and Julie Putzel, JMP Interiors
Photo No. 5: Simply Saratoga Editor in Chief Chris Vallone Bushee with Saratoga Mayor John Safford
Photo No. 6: Very well attended!
In April, the Saratoga Builders Association (SBA) and Capital Region Builders & Remodelers Association (CRBRA) celebrated the launch of the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition (NCTWC) with 200 industry professionals, local leaders, legislators, and community members at Clifton Park’s Hilton Garden Inn.
Originally founded in 2018 as the Capital Region Workforce Development Coalition in response to the shortage of skilled construction workers, the organization has already educated hundreds of students, as early as 2nd grade, about viable employment prospects in the trades.
Those in attendance at the event enjoyed updates on the Coalition’s progress promoting careers in the trades at local schools and heard from speakers, including student Alex Dominguez, who participated in job shadowing opportunities and found successful employment through the program.
Special guests, including Assemblywomen, Carrie Woerner and Mary Beth Walsh; Saratoga Springs Mayor, John Safford; and Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett, were also at the joint mixer to show their support.
Photo No. 1: Prospective tradeswomen learning about the automotive industry at the F. Donald Myers Education Center for Women in Trades Day in 2023.
Photo No. 2: Maya Wiskoski, a student from Whitehall in the power sports technology program, shows how to take apart a Briggs & Stratton engine and put it back together.
Photo No. 3: Women in Trades Day at the F. Donald Myers Education Center in December 2023. 100 girls from 12 school districts engaged in hands-on activities.
Photo No. 4: Amelia Shattuck, a student from Queensbury in the construction trades program in front of the 8’x12’ shed she helped to build with her class for the SoBro Conservancy. The SoBro Conservancy will be planting three large beds full of native, pollinator-friendly perennials and shrubs in May. The shed will house the garden tools, hoses, and the brains of a timed drip irrigation system.
Photo No. 5: Women in Trades Day at the Southern Adirondack Education Center in December 2023. 100 girls from 12 school districts engaged in hands-on activities. Seen here is a prospective tradeswoman in the power sports technology program learning how to take apart a Briggs & Stratton engine and put it back together.
Photo No. 6: A prospective tradeswoman learning to change a tire in the automotive technology program.
Photo No. 7: Prospective tradeswomen practicing rafter layout.
BREAKING BARRIERS:
WSWHE BOCES Empowers Women to Explore Traditonally Male Dominated Trades
The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative Education Services (WSWHE BOCES) Women in Trades initiative is focused on narrowing the skills gap and encouraging young women to enter the trades, in particular traditionally male dominated fields such as automotive technology, auto body repair, construction trades, environmental conservation & forestry, heavy equipment operation, HVAC-R, industrial and performance machining, power sports technology and welding.
“We recognize the value young women have in meeting the workforce demands of our region; and we are not alone. Through a collaborative effort with our component school districts and business partners, WSWHE BOCES has put a focus on recruiting, retaining, and supporting young women in the trades. Our hope is to encourage young women to see themselves in non-traditional programs by creating opportunities for them to experience the trades with a fresh perspective,” says Jared Davis, director of career and technical education at WSWHE BOCES.
Since the 2021-22 school year, over 500 students have participated in engaging hands-on activities that educate and inform female students about the earning potential, career opportunities and educational resources that are available to them. Another 100 adults have been involved in Employment Training for Adults expos over the past three years. Sixty business partners have contributed to the overall effort in some way.
It looks like the efforts are paying off. So far, the initiative has resulted in more than double the enrollment of female students in traditionally male trades.
“We have grown from about 21 female students in 2020, to currently having 55 female students enrolled in these programs,” says Davis.
Businesses are also taking advantage of the program. Just ask Kate Mancini, the Parts and Service Director at Saratoga Honda.
“Collaborating with WSWHE BOCES and engaging in Women in Trades events has proven to be immensely beneficial for Saratoga Honda. Through these initiatives, we have successfully recruited female talent for our service department and provided mentorship opportunities for women seeking to enter the automotive industry.”
From the beginning of the initiative in 2021, WSWHE BOCES also sought to inspire other BOCES to make a difference in this area through webinars, workshops, and social media.
“It is exciting to see BOCES all over New York State now highlighting young women in their traditionally male dominated programs,” says Davis.
WSWHE BOCES administrators are also working in collaboration with the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition to develop a middle school summer camp focusing on Women in Trades.
“We have learned that by making an intentional effort to show young women what is available to them, we can make a difference,” says Davis.
→ Parents and students who are interested in Career and Technical Education programs should talk with their school counselors about their options for enrolling. To learn more about Women in Trades, visit https://www.careerandteched.org/apps/pages/WomenInTrades
