Pre-apprenticeship program and Expo competition carve pathways to building trades careers

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 the high schools attended the expo.

Career Connections competition

The pre-apprenticeship program, Career Connections, was developed by the Carpenters International Training Fund. The curriculum is used in schools across the U.S. to introduce students to the trades.

Tony DiTommaso, senior representative for the Central Midwest Carpenters Council and financial secretary for Carpenters Local 171, led the competition at the expo.

“We’re using some of that curriculum to challenge these students. They’re reading a blueprint and answering questions, putting a birdhouse together, laying out a wall and using the Pythagorean theorem to do a 3-4-5 triangle on a roof.”

Students were timed and judged by industry professionals and then given a score for their work.

“The times are improving from last year. It’s nice to see the confidence these kids get when they accomplish something they didn’t know how to do before. Using the 3-4-5 triangle in class is different on paper than having to plot it out on a concrete floor or on a roof,” DiTommaso said.

Tying education to the trades

He stressed that when students apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world, it demonstrates why it matters.

DiTommaso is glad to see more schools getting the word out about careers in the building trades.

“When I was first a rep, the understanding was that kids interested in the trades just went to the career centers. These opportunities are available to all students.”

The Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio was the leader in getting the pre-apprenticeship program off the ground.

The effort has created a career pathway for students to go from high school straight to an apprenticeship in the trades. They’re graduating with industry recognized certifications.

“We just want to educate them on the opportunities that are there. Most of these programs you get college credit, earn while you learn, which you can turn into your next step – whether it’s a business major, engineer or building inspector,” DiTommaso said. “You’ll get to a point in life when you look for the next door, it’s going to show up. All you have to do is step through it.”

Top competitors rise up

The door is open for Kaesen Kosek, a senior at Springfield Local. He competed on day one of the pre-apprentice competition and earned first place.

“My school has a woodshop class, and I’m in the work program. I get an early release to go help pour concrete,” he said.

Kosek has always enjoyed working with his hands, so that’s why his interest gravitated toward the trades. He plans to stick with the concrete business after graduation.

Competing with Kosek was Thomas Sheely from Springfield Local, who took second place. The third-place winner was Frank Quinlan from Boardman.

On the second day: Bryttain Fuller from Trumbull Career and Technical Center took first place, Madisyn Fisher from Brookfield was second, and Bryan Reardon, also from Brookfield, placed third.

To explore all careers and apprenticeships available in the building trades, or with questions, click here.