Construction workers, welders, electricians, and mechanics. These are just a few of the many jobs that run our world. The trades have shown their importance around the world, but the number of people joining these trades is in a rapid decline, according to schools like UTI. With this being said, companies are rallying together and offering the Bring Back Trades event in hopes that they can get students involved and interested in exploring futures in these jobs that pay great and are in high demand.
The trades jobs are very critical to how we function; if there were no one to fill these jobs, our society would shut down. The best way to help keep these numbers up would be to advertise them earlier on in a child’s schooling, around the seventh or eighth grade. When you introduce trades to middle schoolers, it will spark interest and get the students asking more questions as to what they can do. This will also give them opportunities to talk to students currently in these programs.
Although the classes are offered at a high school level, it is often not as advertised, and unfortunately, by the time the kids do hear about these programs, it is too late for them to join and get the full two to three years in the classes. Without these two to three years, the students will not learn as much as they should and will not be able to become certified. By bringing the trades to the middle school, this gives the students knowledge ahead of time to plan their schedules so that they can take these classes.
The high school systems already provide these trades in the form of courses in other schools, but it seems like by the time students learn they can take these classes, it’s too late, and they miss out on opportunities that can get them a job right out of high school. The trades show students that there is more to the world than the phones that they hold and the influences to just post on social media.
Not every student is meant to go attend four years of college, and by giving them opportunities to explore the trades, it sets the students up for direct access to jobs right out of high school or opportunities to be employed by companies who would pay for the furthering education of students so they can not worry about the burden of affording education and move forward more with their futures. There has been a big movement with bringing back the trades event, and currently LHS is offering one on April 26, 2025, where there will be many different trades, extended schooling, and potential employment for students to get to see and learn more about. These students will get the opportunity to talk to those who are looking to get new students into their programs.
Alvirne offers many CTE programs for students in their school and the surrounding towns that can send students there. Currently, you can explore your options starting as a sophomore. You can attend this school for many different programs like welding, mechanics, forestry, vet tech, culinary, dental hygiene, and many more programs. A lot of the students who attend these programs become certified and have the ability to roll it over into employment or a great base to further their education to become fully certified. If you have any further interest, click on Alvirne to learn more about the opportunities.
Manchester School of Technology
MST offers CTE classes that provide a different focus on CTE with programs such as video game design, collision repair, cosmetology, fire science/EMT, and more. Click on MST to learn more about your future opportunities.
Many of these jobs also allow kids who may not excel at working behind a desk to use their hands and minds to express themselves. As someone who learns better by doing things rather than sitting in a class behind a desk, it makes all the difference and is a lot more enjoyable to do. In addition, knowing that these jobs pay well makes me more comfortable about my future.
Understanding that getting down and dirty is not for everyone,I find that there are a lot more kids now than before who wish that they got into trades sooner because it opens up a lot more opportunities that they enjoy more than the standard office job or fast food restaurant.
Starting pay for these jobs has an average of $27-36 per hour. This pay right out of high school would be a great way to start and get ahead of everyone else. Alvirne High School gives students an opportunity to make this in high school through their programs.
As a year three student in heavy diesel mechanics and welding, they offer different opportunities such as working for Milton Cat or a local dealership or welding, and fabrication instead of going to class. This allows students to get paid while in school and gain knowledge that can help them better in the field and get a leg up on those without these opportunities.
Also, they get an experience that can help them after high school, regardless of whether they pursue the trades after high school or not, but it allows them to dip in and test the waters without having to put in a lot of money and find out they don’t like it.
There are so many opportunities to expand on and take advantage of, and learn about things that help our world stay operational and they are some of the most fulfilling and rewarding in the long run.
“MST gave me the opportunity to obtain a solid base moving forward in the health program, and I was able to get my LNA license at 16 and begin my future towards an RN license. With those skills, I was able to get a job at a hospital and work there full time while in college, thanks to the classes I took,” LHS alumnus Simone Pohl said.
“I loved MST. It gave me a great start to my life as an HVAC technician. The teachers are great!”
Senior James said.
“Alvirne has provided me with the opportunity to see many different careers in the Diesel mechanics program. I have been able to see the difference between regular automotive work, restoration on vehicles and that it doesn’t just stop locally. I can work for many different companies with the skills and further my education and get more certifications because of the programs at Alvirne,” senior Justin Haseltine said.
