2024 was a landmark year for the National Skilled Trades Network (NSTN). As the “Toolbelt Generation” (Gen Z) increasingly looks for high-paying alternatives to traditional four-year degrees, NSTN expanded its footprint to meet them exactly where they are.
By attending seven major career events—averaging one every two months—NSTN successfully introduced thousands of students and young adults to the lucrative world of construction and technology.
2024 Career Engagement Highlights
Our team was on the ground across Central Ohio, transforming how youth perceive and interact with the trades:
Westerville North Workshop Wednesdays: Engaging students in regular, hands-on deep dives into trade fundamentals.
Whitehall-Yearling High School 2024 Career Fair: Showcasing the path from high school graduation to a $55,000+ median starting wage in the trades.
KIPP x SkillArc & KIPP VR Training: A flagship partnership where students utilized Transfr VR simulations to master power tools in a zero-risk environment.
AfroCentric High School Fair: Bringing industry veterans into the heart of the community to mentor the next generation of Black professionals in construction.
Rosemore Middle School Career Fest: Planting seeds of economic mobility early by introducing 8th graders to the high-tech reality of modern carpentry and plumbing.
Why These Numbers Matter to Our Partners
For our grantors and community stakeholders, these events are more than just “fairs”—they are the front lines of socio-economic mobility.
Closing the Wealth Gap: By providing access to NCCER-accredited certifications, we are giving underserved youth the credentials needed to enter an industry with over 660,000 annual job openings.
Innovative Training Efficiency: Our use of VR training in schools like KIPP has been shown to improve knowledge retention by up to 75% while drastically reducing material costs and safety risks.
Diversity in Action: Our 2024 tour specifically targeted underserved high schools to ensure that the $400B+ construction industry is accessible to everyone, regardless of zip code.
Looking Forward to 2025
The momentum of 2024 has set the stage for an even more ambitious year. We are currently expanding our “She Builds Construction” initiative and increasing our VR training seats to accommodate the rising demand from our school partners.
Join us as we construct the future of our community, one student at a time.