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The YBA Workforce NOW website is one of York County’s primary resources for information about careers in the construction trades. Students, parents, educators & employers can find useful posts and the latest news on our blog.

10 Reasons Why Parents Should Advocate for Skilled Trades Careers

Jan 29, 2022 | News

While you might be encouraging your kid to go to college, there’s another option you may not have considered: promising careers in the skilled trades. Today’s tradespeople are using technology in ways we never would have dreamed, they’re making great money and establishing lifelong careers. Here are 10 reasons why you should encourage your high schooler to enter the skilled trades after graduation.
Trade School is Less Expensive Than College

While the average price of college is nearly $10,000 per year in the U.S. for tuition alone, trade school is just $5,000 to $15,000 total for a certificate of completion or trade diploma. College tuition doesn’t factor in extras such as housing and textbooks. Trade school is short enough that students don’t typically require long-term housing.

They Can Start Working (and Earning Money) Quickly

Most students finish trade school in as little as 12 to 18 months, and in between apprenticeship levels, they engage in paid, on-the-job training. After a few weeks in school, your teen could be earning money while gaining valuable work experience.

The Money is Good

While the average pay for skilled tradespeople varies depending on their experience and skill level, the trades usually offer a fantastic starting salary and a high income.

Most Skilled Trades Work Comes with Benefit Packages

In addition to the excellent pay, most skilled tradespeople in the construction industry receive benefits with their compensation packages.

Feel a Sense of Accomplishment Every Day

Encouraging your child to get into a trade means encouraging them to invest in a career that allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment each day and see tangible results of a job well done.

The Sky’s the Limit When it Comes to Job Growth

Entering a skilled trade means committing to several levels of an apprenticeship before becoming a licensed journeyperson. That means that as soon as your child starts their career, they’re in line for several promotions (and pay raises), provided they complete their schooling and work experience at each apprenticeship level. Once they become a journeyperson, there are still plenty of growth opportunities.

There’s Room for Everyone in the Skilled Trades

The skilled trades have plenty of opportunities for women, men, and minorities looking for long-term work. In fact, by 2028, it’s predicted that there will be more than 3 million job openings in the skilled trades.

They Can Choose a Job They Love

There are plenty of choices when it comes to working in the skilled trades. From construction worker to painter to welder, there’s a job for just about every interest and skill level.

They’ll Receive Safety Training

Skilled trades may sound like a dangerous career, but in most cases, workers receive continuous safety training and certifications to ensure that they’re working safely and within their industry’s regulations.

Some Skilled Trades are Close to Recession-Proof

Utilities like electricity and plumbing aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, and even in a substantial economic downturn, there’s always demand for skilled laborers who can work in these specialty areas.

Resources for Parents, Teachers, and Students in York, Pennsylvania

Learn more about opportunities in the #skilledtrades right here in York County, PA when you check out the York Builders Association’s WorkforceNOW resources. Explore facts about skilled trade careers, find out who is hiring locally, which companies offer apprenticeships, internships, and on-the-job training, apply for YBA scholarships and more.

Related Posts:
You Don’t Need a College Degree to Be Successful. Here are 7 Careers that Prove It.
Seven Myths About Skilled Trade Careers Debunked.

 


The following post was shared by NAHB’s workforce development communication partner, Generation T, an initiative funded by Lowe’s.

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Building Connections

The YBA Workforce NOW Foundation is directly connected to hundreds of employers in York County that are looking for the next generation of skilled trade professionals. Many of them offer on-the-job training, apprenticeships, mentorships, and more.

About Workforce

NOW Foundation

The YBA Workforce NOW Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to growing our future workforce and connecting future skilled trade professionals with a lifetime of opportunities.

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The future is in YOUR hands. Have questions for us or ready to take the next step? We’ve got you!

Workforce NOW Board MemberLaurie Lourie

Company 
York Builders Association 

Position 
Executive Vice President 

How long have you been a YBA member?  
8 years as YBA Executive Vice President 

Involvement in YBA 
As Executive Vice President, I work closely with the York Builders Association Board of Directors on the strategic direction of the association, manage our talented team of employees, develop the culture of the organization, build relationships with YBA members, the community, and other stakeholders, identify potential sources of income and oversee income generating activities. Prior to my role with YBA, I served as Executive Vice President of the Wayne County Builders Association for 22 years. 

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?  
With direct experience working alongside members in the construction trades for three decades, I see first-hand how the lack of skilled workers impacts the ability to meet consumer demand, ultimately affecting our communities and the economy. I also see evidence of how successful and personally rewarding a career in the skilled trades can be. I am committed to generating awareness about the benefits of working in the skilled trades and inspiring more young people to consider the construction trades as a career path. 

Workforce NOW SecretaryEd Hesson

Company
Traditions Bank 

Position
Business Services Partner.  Commercial lending, deposits, and other business products and services. 

How long have you been a YBA member?
16 years 

Involvement in YBA
Previously served on the Workforce Committee 

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
To educate younger generations about the importance of the trades and the viability of a career in the skilled trades. 

Other Community Involvement
Finance Committee & Board Member (York Day Nursery), Finance Committee & Board Member (DreamWrights Youth & Family Theatre) 

Workforce NOW TreasurerMichael Lohss, Jr.

Company 
Regal, Inc. - Plumbing, HVAC & Home Automation 

Position 
General Manager - Running day-to-day operations, building/developing business strategy, and assisting other managers in developing and growing their team. 

How long have you been a YBA member? 
38 years 

Involvement in YBA
Vice President of the York Builders Association, Chair of Workforce NOW Committee 

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
As a mechanical contractor that is directly affected by the labor shortage, I am very passionate about developing our youth. I see and feel the impact of what's happening to our trades locally, let alone in America. I chose to partner with the York Builders Association and the Workforce NOW Foundation due to their direct contact with the premier builder and associate members locally that are also directly affected by this. By working together, we can achieve an outcome to boost our local economy and help spread the message that college isn't for everyone and that a career in the trades can be just as valuable, if not more valuable, than earning a college degree. 

Workforce NOW Vice PresidentWilliam Rickard

Company
Eastern York High School

Position
Principal

How long have you been a YBA member?
2 years

Involvement in YBA
Workforce NOW Committee

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
To help our students connect with the construction trades workforce.

Workforce NOW PresidentShonna Cardello, NTP

Company
White Rose Settlement Services Inc.

Position
President of White Rose Settlement Services and a founding partner when the company opened in July 1996.

How long have you been a YBA member?

22 years

Involvement in YBA

Board of Directors (Life Director), 2019 Board President, Women’s’ Council of the York County Builders Association, Marketing Committee, Workforce NOW Committee

Why did you get involved with Workforce NOW?
Working directly with the Builders and trades within the YBA has opened my eyes to the dire need for skilled tradesman.  We are all part of the same team and when one team member needs help, we all pitch in.  The idea to start a program came from necessity.   Our industry is aging and we need younger skilled tradesman.  It was a simple endeavor for me to support and become involved in the Workforce NOW initiative.  I look forward to continuing to promote this amazing Foundation!

Other Community Involvement
Shonna Stock Cardello is the President of White Rose Settlement Services and Inch Settlement Services LLC and a founding partner with the companies. She is a licensed title agent and has earned the designation of Certified Land Title Professional and in 2015 was awarded the National Title Professional designation by the American Land Title Association (ALTA).   She is a Life Director of the Pennsylvania Builders Association and a Past President of the York Builders Association.  Ms. Cardello was President during the Charter Year of the Women’s’ Council of the York County Builders Association.  Shonna currently is a TIPAC Board of Director for ALTA and is the Pennsylvania Trustee, and serves on the Title Action Network (TAN) and Government Affairs committees for ALTA. Shonna serves, and has served, on many committees for the Realtors Association of York and Adams Counties (RAYAC) and the Pennsylvania Land Title Association.

Staff LiaisonMelissa Longenberger

Melissa Longenberger leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance awareness about the skilled trades as a rewarding career path and build connections throughout the community with local organizations, educators, school administrators, employers, and more. She also oversees the Foundation’s efforts to develop resources and programs supporting the mission to empower more students and build our future workforce. In her role as staff liaison, Melissa works closely with the YBA Workforce NOW Board of Directors. 

Melissa Longenberger is currently the Vice President of Member Relations for the York Builders Association, where she’s served in a membership role since 2015. Melissa has been at the forefront of the Workforce NOW initiative, including spearheading its inception in 2018.