Answering construction-related questions on paper is one thing. Applying that knowledge to an actual job is a game changer.
One of the main events at the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo was the pre-apprentice competition. At least two dozen area high school students participated between days two and three of the event.
The competition is designed to mirror situations encountered on a job site and includes students enrolled in the pre-apprenticeship program at their home district.
Turning classroom lessons into job site skills
At least 18 schools offer the program locally, which provides students with credentialed training that can lead directly into full apprenticeship programs after graduation.
“This makes the trades feel accessible and achievable,” said Gary Hartman, association services director, The Builders Association. “Students are gaining real skills and leaving high school with options. The pre-apprenticeship gives them a head start, whether they decide on a pathway or explore other careers in skilled trades.”
It’s all tied to the Career Connections program created by the Carpenters International Training Fund to introduce students to the construction industry.
“We try to take what the students are learning at school and recreate it in a real-world atmosphere. It’s not just about nailing or framing. It’s about teaching them to think and work like professionals,” said Joe Magielski Jr., Central Midwest Carpenters and flooring representative.
Magielski helped to oversee the competition, along with other carpentry professionals at the Expo.
Students were challenged with four tasks: Answering written questions about a picnic table blueprint, assembling a seven-piece birdhouse, a wall layout exercise and precision nailing.
They were evaluated based on time and accuracy – reinforming the importance of balancing speed with craftsmanship in a real work setting.
A running start toward the trades
The top finisher in the first competition was Brayden Balas, a senior from Austintown Fitch. He felt he was well prepared for the challenges.
“It was the classroom lessons and time spent reviewing the curriculum. We went through the framing in class last year, and I studied from the textbook before the competition. It felt good to see that pay off,” Balas said.
Jim Fisher, the skilled trades/welding instructor at Austintown Fitch High School, keeps the students in the program well-rounded.
“It’s construction basics, but we also get into electrical, plumbing and roofing. They get introductions to everything. Then, we get into building things. Last year, the students built picnic tables,” Fisher said.
Natalee Macula and Kailee Diaz, both from Lowellville, came in second and third place.
For the second day’s competition, Eli Wonner, from Springfield Local (New Middletown), earned first place. Kyle Stole, from Southeast Local placed second, and Jackson Ensley, also of Springfield Local, took third.
The pre-apprenticeship program is a powerful introduction to skilled trades careers in high school.
The Builders continue to support and expand opportunities like the Expo as part of a broader commitment to workforce development across eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
By investing in the next generation of tradespeople, the organization helps ensure a strong, skilled pipeline of workers for years to come.
“We’re not just giving students exposure, we’re giving them momentum,” Hartman said. “They leave these programs with skills, certifications and confidence. That’s what changes the game, not just for them, but for the entire industry.”
