Career Exploration
Support WFN

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

Contact Us
Home Resources

Helpful Resources

YBA Workforce NOW is committed to helping parents, educators & students explore the many career choices available to them in the construction trades. We offer skilled trade career resources, tools, and tips to help you play an important part in the career exploration journey!

Another Future Path

Perspectives have shifted in recent years on the importance of a college degree. It’s been proven time and time again that it is possible to have a rewarding career that pays well and is in-demand without a college degree or student debt.

Studies show that job satisfaction in skilled trade careers is remarkably high. Nearly 9 out of 10 (83%) of skilled trade professionals note their job satisfaction as “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied”. Fewer than 1 in 20 people said they are somewhat or very unsatisfied in their current line of work. Students today have many options for their future career paths. Although there are many opportunities, it can be challenging to face such big decisions! Unfortunately, many students feel pressured to attend college even though it might not be the right path for them.

The Cost of College

According to educationdata.org, the average cost of college in the United States is $35,331 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses.

Considering that the overall dropout rate for undergraduate college students is 32.9%, it is also important to keep in mind that those students will still have an obligation to repay student loans without the degree or training to help pay them back. This can also set them back in finding the right path for them.

Parents & students concerned about college costs should consider a skilled trade career. According to some research, after five years, a person who attends trade school and then starts working will be $140,000 ahead, on average, compared to a student who enrolls in a four-year college before working!

Advantages of

Skilled Trade Careers

In-demand

High Earning Potential

Start Working/Earning Quickly

Opportunity for Growth/Entrepreneurship

High Job Satisfaction

Do Essential Work that Matters

Many Roles to Choose From

Resources for Parents

What is Next for

Your Students?

Making plans for a professional future can be confusing – even scary – for parents and students. Students are often in a position to make a decision that will impact the rest of their lives. What to do after graduating from high school is a decision that a young person often makes before they even know what it is they want or what will bring them fulfillment – all while being influenced by the expectations of others. It isn’t easy!

You’re likely here because you or your student are considering a skilled trade career path. That’s fantastic! We have many connections in the construction trades in York, PA, and resources that you may find helpful as you navigate this path. Please check back often or join our email list as we will publish new information and opportunities for skilled trade careers in York County, PA, regularly.

How Can Parents Help?

Talk to your student about their personal strengths. Ask them questions, like what kind of things they enjoy doing that give them satisfaction?

Participate in researching careers with them. Make sure to find information on the kind of training/education necessary, salary potential, job outlook, and day-to-day responsibilities. Discuss what opportunities there are for advancement in the field.

Recommend that your students discuss career opportunities with teachers and guidance counselors to get additional perspective.

Encourage your student to take skill assessment quizzes.

Help them make connections and speak with professionals in a variety of roles.

Help them explore internships, mentorships, apprenticeships, and job opportunities. There are many opportunities for students interested in skilled trade careers in York County, PA.

Try not to influence your student’s decisions. After all, what you truly want is for them to be happy, fulfilled, and do work they enjoy.

Join our email list for the latest information

Follow us on social media

How YBA Workforce NOW Can Help

We have the inside scoop on local skilled trade career opportunities and training in and around York, PA, and we are always developing

Mentorship Opportunities

Apprenticeship Opportunities 

Scholarships

Job Shadowing

Now Hiring – Skilled Trade Careers in York County 

Detailed Information on Skilled Trade Career

Helpful Posts and Videos

Seven Myths About Skilled Trade Careers Debunked

10 Reasons Why Parents Should Advocate for Skilled Trade Careers

You Don’t Need a College Career to Be Successful. Here are 7 Careers That Prove It

Resources for Educators

As an educator, you likely see first-hand the pressure students are under to make decisions about their future. You also probably know that college is not the right or best path for everyone.

As you help students explore their strengths and learn more about themselves, we hope you’ll find our resources on skilled trade career paths useful. You will also find individual construction trade career exploration flyers, direct connections to employers offering skilled trade apprenticeships, information on YBA Workforce NOW Construction Career Days, scholarships, and more.

How Can Educators Help?

Help us educate others on the benefits of skilled trade careers by accessing and sharing our resources: Job Description Flyers, Skilled Trade Careers Fact Sheet, WFN Video Playlist, and Relevant Blog Posts

Learn about Construction Career Days and encourage students to attend

Rely on YBA Workforce NOW as a resource to build direct connections with employers in the construction trades

Share information on skilled trade career training and job opportunities in York County and surrounding areas: Jobs Available, Job Shadowing Opportunities, Mentorships, Internships, and Apprenticeships

Subscribe to our email list to stay updated

Follows us on Social Media

Local, State, and National

Additional Resources

The YBA Workforce NOW is your resource for opportunities, support, and information about the trades industry.

Local Resources

York County Alliance for Learning – YCAL

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

YCEA Workforce Development

YOCO Pathways To Prosperity

Employee Recruitment & Retention in a Post-Pandemic World

How to Start an Apprenticeship/Training Program

State Resources

Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) Endorsed Trades Program

PA Office of Apprenticeship and Training 

PSU Sokolov-Miller Family Financial & Life Skill Center

National Resources

Generation T

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Careers in the Construction Trades

NAHB Construction Jobs

National Housing Endowment – (scholarships and grants for industry)

Tool Box Talk – Mental Health and Wellness