Jim Houck on October 2, 2025

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 […]

Jim Houck on September 22, 2025

A record-breaking 6,500 students attended the 2025 Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo, but it was especially encouraging to see 2,200 middle schoolers show up on the first day. The sixth annual event was held at the Canfield Fairgrounds on September 16-18. For the last two years, The Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania […]

Jim Houck on April 8, 2025

At least 75 school counselors and teachers from the Mahoning Valley are now better equipped to guide students toward meaningful careers in the skilled trades. They attended a presentation on March 28 at the Ironworkers Local 207 JAC Training Center in Boardman. It was hosted by The Builders Association, Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades and Western […]

Jim Houck on September 25, 2024

At least 18 school districts across the Mahoning Valley are exposing high school students to the building trades through a pre-apprenticeship program. To show off what they’re learning, more than two dozen students participated in the pre-apprenticeship competition at the 2024 Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo. There were two competitions – one for each day […]

Jim Houck on September 24, 2024

There’s evidence of a renewed interest in skilled trades careers across the Mahoning Valley. More opportunities are being offered to students at schools, and career centers are seeing record attendance levels. The 2024 Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo was the best attended in the event’s five-year history, according to The Builders Association of Eastern Ohio […]

Jim Houck on September 21, 2024

Attendance has been climbing over the years, but a record 5,900 students walked through the doors of the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo between September 17-19. This was the fifth year for the expo – which was held at the Canfield Fairgrounds Event Center. Younger generations continue to show an increasing interest in the skilled […]