The seventh annual Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo turned out to be the biggest yet, giving more than 6,500 students and members of the public hands-on exposure to rewarding career opportunities.
On Sept. 22, the event kicked off at the Canfield Fairgrounds with about 2,500 middle school students, followed by public hours. The next two days, a total of at least 4,000 high school students from northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania converged to explore more than a dozen skilled trades.
“The expo isn’t a presentation or show and tell,” said Ken Reid, association services director, The Builders Association. “We want people to get their hands dirty, try something and see what the careers are like.”
Where curiosity turns into connection
The public hours brought career changers, recent high school graduates trying to figure out their next step and homeschooled students. Some younger attendees also came after a family member encouraged them to check it out.
“When the community can show up and have direct access to the professionals – and not have to look anything up – they’re able to shake hands and talk to them face-to-face then leave with a name, contact information and a clear next step,” Reid said.
Trades representatives reported talking with serious prospective applicants during those hours.
Sprinkler Fitters Local Union 669 was a first-time participant this year. Rob Ivey, a retired sprinkler fitter, saw a TV interview with Reid talking about the Expo and reached out to join the event.
Ivey attended with David Coss, an instructor, introducing students to an apprenticeship that works a little differently. Unlike programs with designated application periods, Local 669 allows someone to apply directly with a contractor.
“If that contractor speaks with the agent and they’re able to put somebody on, they can hire that person and put them into the apprenticeship,” Ivey said.
The five-year apprenticeship combines paid, on-the-job experience with classroom instruction.
Local 669 plans to return next year with a more elaborate hands-on experience.
Career plans under construction
An instructor at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and Valley STEM attended with her 10th grade class as students explored the demonstrations – saying 99 percent of students at the school intend to enter one of the career center’s labs, which include construction, electricity and other technical fields.
Three students from Boardman were at different points in deciding what their futures could hold.
Richard H. and Jake M., a sophomore and freshman respectively, still have time to explore options. Richard likes working with his hands and is considering a career in upholstery, inspired by his grandfather.
“He’s one of the few people in Ohio that are really good at it. It’s a dying trade, and I think it’s really cool,” Richard said.
Jake doesn’t picture himself at a desk job. “I want to stay busy,” he said. He mentioned enjoying the flooring demonstration with the carpenters at the Expo.
Brendan B., a senior, is closer to deciding what comes after graduation. He is considering a career with the plumbers and pipefitters, and that influence comes from family.
“My brother is already an apprentice with that union, and he attended the Skilled Trades Expo when he was in school,” Brendan said.
He didn’t make any promises about following in his brother’s footsteps but hasn’t ruled it out completely.
Building beyond the Expo
The Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Columbiana County Career and Technical Center and Trumbull Career and Technical Center have worked alongside The Builders and Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades since the event started in 2019 to help create ties to careers.
“We have been making strides in the last couple years with our guidance counselor breakfast and training, and events like the Expo, putting teachers and guidance counselors in the same room with our apprenticeship programs and contractors,” Reid said.
Those relationships can help career exploration continue after the Expo, with the goal of bringing more exposure directly to students.
“We want to further the relationships outside of these big events on a more day-to-day basis inside the classroom, where students have a chance to learn more about the different trades.”
To explore careers and apprenticeships in the building trades, click here. For questions, contact Ken Reid.
