For many high school students, life after graduation can feel uncertain. College is one option, but for students drawn to hands-on work, problem-solving, or building something tangible, the skilled trades offer a direct path to a rewarding career and financial stability.
With support from York County Community Foundation’s THRIVE grant program, local high school students are discovering those opportunities through the Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program, developed by the York Builders Association Workforce NOW Foundation.
“The need for this program came directly from local employers,” said Melissa Longenberger, executive director of the York Builders Association Workforce NOW Foundation. “Businesses kept telling us they were struggling to find skilled workers. And at the same time, we knew there were students who would thrive in these careers if they had the opportunity to explore them.”
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A 2025 Manufacturers’ Association survey found that 87% of Central PA manufacturers report difficulty filling positions, while 7.4% of York County teens ages 16–19 are neither enrolled in school nor employed, limiting future earning potential and economic contribution.
According to the South Central Local Area Plan, construction careers in York County offer competitive pay and career growth. The average salary in the construction sector is over $79,000, with wages generally at or above living wage levels locally.
The pre-apprenticeship program evolved from strategic efforts that were developed by the York Builders Association. In 2018, students were invited to Construction Career Day events, but as employer demand and student interest increased, local leaders saw the need for a more comprehensive pathway.
That vision became a reality in 2022 with the creation of the Workforce NOW Foundation and launch of the Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Four years later, the state-registered program has served over 100 high school students.
The pre-apprenticeship program is offered to 11th and 12th graders, who are required to attend one full day of instruction every other week for nine weeks. On day one, they each receive a tool belt and starter tools and work alongside industry professionals to gain exposure to what one instructor calls “a buffet” of seven trades: carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, masonry, drywall and tile installation.
Their first assignment is building a 4-by-7-foot workstation for a hands-on introduction to the skills and craftsmanship continuously developed throughout the program.
This experience extends beyond technical training. Students earn OSHA 10 Construction Safety Certification, Home Builders Institute PACT CORE credentials and a registered pre-apprenticeship certificate recognized by Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry. They also receive support with resumes and interviews.
Interest continues to grow, but demand exceeds current capacity. Applicants for the upcoming school year filled available spots months in advance.
Instructor Joe Miller, a local business owner with more than 35 years in the trades, has seen the program’s growth from the beginning. He was amazed by the response from students and faculty when this program first launched.
“I know how hard it is to find skilled workers,” shared Miller. “For every five contractors who retire and leave the skilled labor market, only two people enter it,” he added.
Miller says the labor gap is not due to lack of interest. “It’s because people don’t know they can get the training, certifications and skills needed, or that they can make good money doing this work,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Workforce NOW hopes to secure a larger training facility to allow more youth to participate. With funding from YCCF, Workforce NOW was able to deliver two additional cohorts during the 2025–2026 school year, allowing 25 students to successfully complete the program. For many, those credentials are the first step toward a family-sustaining career.
For some, the impact is immediate. One student who completed the program immediately entered the workforce. At 19 years old he is earning over $50 per hour constructing bridges, drives a new pickup truck and is currently searching for a home. “The program was amazing! I knew very little about plumbing and electrical,” shared Jared Baker when asked about his experience. “When I was laid off from a job after graduating high school, I was able to quickly find temporary employment because of the training I’d received through the program.” Now employed by Deblin, Inc., Baker says, “the days can be long some weeks, but I like the people I work with, and the money is great!”
Jared Baker’s story is proof of the ripple effect of workforce development investments: When students gain access to meaningful career pathways, they strengthen their own futures, support local businesses and contribute to York County’s economy.
For Longenberger, success is not only measured by enrollment numbers or credentials, but by the confidence students build and the futures they can begin to envision. “Support from the York County Community Foundation has helped make that impact possible. As a newer nonprofit leader, I’ve found more than funding through YCCF,” Longenberger said. “I discovered a network of community partners, nonprofit leaders and resources dedicated to strengthening York County.”
