Build Trades
Launched in 2023, our Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) program connects high school students with real world construction careers. What began with six students at Mayfield High has grown to 130+ students across five high schools, with expansion to Columbus planned in 2026 - impacting nearly 200 students with strong job placement potential.
PACT covers startup costs and ensures every student gains hands on experience through internships with local construction firms.
With Ohio facing a high demand for more construction workers - approximately 439,000 needed nationally in 2025, vocational schools alone can't meet student demand. PACT brings trade training directly into high schools - where it's needed most.
Our PACT program helps high school students:
- Gain Relevant Skills: Through PACT students are developing skills in nine specific trades, such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, masonry, landscaping, painting, green building, and building construction technology. This early exposure will better prepare them for successful careers.
- Enhance Employability: By earning a pre-apprenticeship certificate, students improve their resumes and appeal to employers who increasingly seek candidates with practical experience and training.
- Encourage Industry Partnerships: This program is fostering collaboration between local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations, ensuring students receive the most relevant training and potential job placements.
- Promote Economic Growth: Investing in our youth's education and vocational training will contribute to a more skilled workforce, benefiting our local economy by filling essential positions and driving job creation. Moreover, these jobs are local, so the students can stay in their communities and become part of the fabric of their towns.
