Why Supporting Trade Schools & Students is Crucial

The Future is in Their Hands: Why Supporting Local Trade Schools and Students is More Crucial Now Than Ever

Across the country, communities are standing at the threshold of an exciting transformation. As seasoned tradespeople begin to retire, a tremendous opportunity is emerging for a new generation to step in, learn vital skills, and build meaningful, lasting careers. The skilled trades—once undervalued by some—are now being recognized for what they truly are: essential, innovative, and full of potential. For young people looking for a fulfilling path forward, the trades offer more than just jobs—they offer purpose, growth, and the chance to shape the world around them.

In this purposeful moment, supporting local trade schools and the high school students considering careers in the trades has never been more important.

Few understand this better than The Tuckey Companies of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. With a long history of investing in their local trade programs and offering internships and paid positions to students and recent graduates, Tuckey is a model of what it looks like to both support and depend on the vitality of local trades. “We believe in the trades and the future of the trades,” Nathan Tuckey shared. “We believe more people should consider a future in the trades because they’re needed, productive, in demand, and fulfilling. It’s a priority because we want to help students explore and discover how fulfilling it is to work with their hands.”

The sentiment couldn’t be more timely. For family-owned, community-invested businesses like The Tuckey Companies, the demand for incoming talent can’t be ignored. These companies rely on skilled, dedicated professionals to carry on the values, standards, and services that have sustained them for generations. Without new tradespeople to take up the torch, many of these businesses risk fading away, along with the community benefits they provide—from job creation and mentorship to local philanthropy and economic resilience.

But there’s also good news: the trades have never been more exciting to enter. Thanks to a wave of technological innovation, these industries are evolving rapidly. What was once seen as strictly manual work is now intertwined with cutting-edge tools and digital solutions. From 3D design and smart diagnostics to app-based project management and automation, today’s trades are a fusion of hands-on skill and high-tech precision.

“We’re not just using it to manage and communicate,” says Nathan Tuckey, referring to technology in their field. “We’re using it more and more to diagnose and respond.” This

blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern tech opens up a wealth of opportunity for young people who want meaningful work that engages both mind and body.

So how do we make an impact?

It starts with awareness and access. High school students need more exposure to what a career in the trades actually looks like—and just as importantly, how to pursue one. Guidance counselors, educators, and parents all have a role to play in changing the narrative that a four-year college degree is the only path to success. Local businesses, in turn, can partner with schools to offer hands-on experience, apprenticeships, and mentorship.

Supporting trade schools isn’t just charity or good PR. It’s an investment in the infrastructure of the future. When young people are empowered to build their lives through skilled work, the entire community benefits. We get homes built, systems repaired, and futures shaped. The organizations that invite these young people into their work environments also get fresh perspective, new energy, and an opportunity to embrace change.

In short, we get progress. And we get to keep it local.