Career Exploration
Support WFN

York Builders Association Workforce NOW Foundation Inc. | Call Us Today: 717.767.2444

Contact Us
Home Career Exploration

Career Exploration

Skilled trade careers offer job security, excellent pay, meaningful work, opportunity for growth, and in most cases, you can skip the college debt entirely.

Open Your Mind to the Possibilities!

If you are considering a career in construction, you’ve come to the right place! There are many skilled trade paths you can take in the construction industry.

First, if you’re feeling unclear about your future, take a breath! That’s completely normal. If you think about it, this expectation that students just finishing high school are expected to know which career path is meant for them is kind of wild. Sure, some young kids and teenagers know from an early age what they want to do with their lives but trust us, that is not typical! That hesitancy and frustration in identifying THE CAREER PATH for you are normal and exactly why considering the skilled trades is an ideal option.

Skilled Trade Job Descriptions

A skilled trades career does not have to be narrow or limited, you can continue to learn new skill sets throughout your career and, in most cases, you won’t have to pile on a bunch of student debt to acquire those skills! Ready to get started?  Check out a sampling of skilled trade roles, including information on training, pay, and day-to-day responsibilities.

Construction Laborer

Are you interested in operating machines and staying physically active on the job? If working on jobsites sounds like fun and you’re a team player, consider a construction laborer role.

Fabricator / CNC

If you enjoy mechanical challenges, equipment set-up, using hand tools, and measuring instruments, and have an eye for details, a career as a CNC Operator may be right for you!

Fencing / Outdoor Installer

If you love working outside, are interested in learning basic construction skills, and using various tools, and don’t mind physical labor and a variety of weather conditions, keep reading about a career as a Fencing/Outdoor Installer.

Highway Construction / Guide Rail Laborer

If physically challenging outdoor work and being part of a larger crew responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of roadways sounds like a role that suits you, consider exploring a career in highway construction.

Highway Construction /  Guide Rail Truck Driver

Highway Construction Truck Drivers play an important role in highway construction crews. If you like working with and driving trucks and other equipment, enjoy physical labor and can pass the requirements for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), learn more about Highway Construction/Guide Rail Truck Drivers.

HVAC Service Tech Installation

Do you have a good balance of technical and mechanical skills? Does understanding how Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems work and trouble-shooting problems sound interesting? Consider a career in HVAC!

Plumbing Service Technician

Are you a critical thinker? If you like working with your hands, have patience and good interpersonal and problem-solving skills, you might want to consider becoming a Plumbing Service Technician.

Remodeling / Building Office Assistant

If you are organized, reliable, enjoy working with people and interested in finding a role in the construction trades, an entry level role as an office assistant is an ideal opportunity to help others and learn the business.

A Career Path

Explore Training and Job

Opportunities in York County, PA

The York Builders Association introduced the Workforce NOW Foundation to shine a light on the endless opportunities for rewarding and lucrative careers in the trades.

On-the-Job Training

On-the-job training is a common way for employees (typically new hired) to learn a job and the specific tasks and skills needed to perform the job while receiving a paycheck. On-the-job training in the skilled trades can be a combination of observation and hands-on learning.

Opportunities for Skilled Trade On-the-Job Training in York, PA, and Surrounding Areas

Hess Ornamental Iron, Inc. (Windsor)

Servants (Red Lion)

York Excavating Co. LLC (York)

Regal Inc.- Plumbing, HVAC & Home Automation (York)

Trump Lawn and Land Company (York)

Internships

A skilled trade Internship is a short-term job opportunity (sometimes paid and sometimes unpaid) with an organization that gives students exposure to the construction trades industry and, in some cases, particular skilled trade roles. Summer Internships are common, but skilled trade Internships are not limited to summertime. An Internship can often result in full-time job offers.

Opportunities for Skilled Trade Internships in York, PA, and Surrounding Areas

Servants – Unpaid Internship (Red Lion)

York Excavating Co. LLC – Paid Internship (York)

Regal Inc.- Plumbing, HVAC & Home Automation – Paid Internship (York)

Apprenticeships

Skilled trade Apprenticeships are a formal on-the-job training opportunity for workers to earn while they learn, gain valuable experience, complete coursework, and ultimately earn credentials.

Opportunities for Skilled Trade Apprenticeships in York, PA, and Surrounding Areas

York Excavating Co. LLC (York)

Central PA Chapter Independent Electrical Contractors (Mechanicsburg/York)

James Craft & Son Inc. (Manchester)

Regal Inc.- Plumbing, HVAC & Home Automation (York)

Mentorships

A Skilled Trade Mentorship is a relationship in the workplace between an experienced professional in the field or role and a less experienced one. Mentorships typically differ slightly from Apprenticeships as the sharing of information – or mentoring – focuses on much more than just the job and the skills needed to complete the job. Mentorship also focuses on leadership skills and management development.

Opportunities for Skilled Trade Mentorships in York, PA, and Surrounding Areas

York Excavating Co. LLC (York)

Regal Inc.- Plumbing, HVAC & Home Automation (York)

Company Funded Training/Education

Many organizations hiring for in-demand skilled trade roles offer formal training or education for employees at the company’s expense. Details may vary depending on the situation, but the general premise is that this can be a win-win situation for the company. Although the company bears the cost of the employee training, they often see it as an investment in their resources.

Opportunities for Company Funded Training/Education in York, PA, and Surrounding Areas

Hess Ornamental Iron, Inc. (Windsor)

Servants (Red Lion)

York Excavating Co. LLC (York)

Regal Inc.- Plumbing, HVAC & Home Automation (York)

Trump Lawn and Land Company (York)

Build Your Future

Job Shadowing

Job Shadowing is a great way to learn about a particular role and learn more about the company culture at the same time. Job Shadowing typically involves learning about a job from an experienced employee by following them throughout their workday. Job Shadowing might be a method of training new employees, or an opportunity offered to job candidates to get a feel for the work and the environment.

Are you a high school student curious about the skilled trades and interested in learning more about a specific type of construction trade profession? We can help you find a one-day job shadowing opportunity in York County, PA!

Employers, does your company offer internships, mentorships, on-the-job training, etc?

Job Board

Visit our job board to explore careers in the skilled trades and current job opportunities in York, PA, and surrounding areas. Companies that are members of the York Builders Association post jobs on this platform. Check back often to see the latest opportunities.

Fulfilling Future

Most Skilled Trade Professions Pay Well and Don’t Require a Degree

It’s true. Not only can you avoid out-of-control tuition rates when you pursue a career in the skilled trades, but you’ll find that careers in construction pay very well. Based on information from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES), Bureau of Labor Statistics, (2020), some trade professionals make just as much, if not more, than college graduates.

With a career in construction, you can become financially secure fairly quickly rather than struggle to pay off student debt for the next few decades. As a matter of fact, there’s a good chance you can get paid to learn a skilled trade!

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.