Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
BEDFORD – Kearia Hobson has her sights set on becoming a veterinarian, but a visit to the StoneGate Skilled Trades Showcase opened her eyes to other career opportunities.
Hobson, a sophomore at Orleans High School, was among more than 600 students from 17 school corporations that toured the showcase held at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds Nov. 21.
“There were a lot of fun hands-on activities here,” she said.
Hobson said she visited several booths and she was interested in learning about the training for jobs in construction, masonry/plastering and the utilities.
Organized by StoneGate Arts & Education and Built to Succeed, the event brought together 11 union apprenticeship training centers and six contractors/suppliers.
The students could participate in several hands-on demonstrations as well as test their knowledge of tools and applications. They also could speak to trade reps about apprenticeships, career advancement and future income growth.
2023 was the first year of the event, held in downtown Bedford at StoneGate. The event began to expose high school students to the skilled trades. The industry is facing a shortage of workers caused by retirement and fewer students choosing the skilled trades.
Linda Henderson, executive director of StoneGate, moved the location to the Expo Hall to allow for more exhibitors and schools to participate.
Ryan Brown, Community Outreach Coordinator with the Indiana Careers in Construction Association, said the association has more than 60 apprenticeship training locations statewide. Built to Succeed is involved in about 150 events like the one in Lawrence County every year, reaching about 65,000 students.
“Exposing kids to the trades is extremely important because they may only know one aspect of a particular trade,” Brown said. “Welding is a great example of that. All the kids want to be welders but they don’t know what type of welding they want to do.”
Brown said more than a half dozen trades use welding on a continuous basis. Brown said it’s his role to encourage kids to learn more about a trade so they can choose the right career path for them.
Since 2013, Indiana’s Union Construction Industry has increased their apprentice applicant intake by 78%. In 2022, more than 8,200 apprentices were enrolled in training programs in the Indiana Union Construction Industry.
Skilled trades are appealing for many reasons, Brown said.
“The big thing students are realizing is that taking on college debt isn’t that attractive,” he said.
Apprenticeships take four to five years. In addition to on the job training, students receive continuing education, certifications and earn progressive wages.
Through a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, adults in a union apprenticeship program can earn an associate degree at no additional cost to the student. According to Built to Succeed, since 1993, more than 21,000 apprentices from the Indiana Union Construction Industry have earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Ivy Tech.
Duke Energy linemen Wes Dixon and Lucas Nikirk manned the Duke Energy table at the showcase. Dixon began his apprenticeship soon after high school. Nikirk was 29 when he started. Both men said they enjoy their jobs and it’s a great career field. On average, a lineman in this area will earn about $108,000 a year, with no overtime, Dixon said.
Because the apprenticeships are considered on-the-job training, apprentices are paid while they learn. They also avoid taking on thousands in debt, unlike many of their peers who choose the college path.
Cathy Bullington, adult education coordinator for the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council, said the students she spoke to enjoyed the showcase.
“They were polite and seemed focused on learning about the different trades and opportunities,” she said.
