We invest in the next generation of makers by partnering with high school programs like Boulder Tech High School. Serving in an advisory role, we help to shape the school’s programs and bring the students to our shop to learn more about what we do, and what a career in fabrication is like.
The future of the trades depends on the next generation choosing to build it.
Across the country, skilled trades are experiencing a shortage of young professionals entering the workforce. At the same time, many students are graduating without clear pathways to meaningful, hands-on careers that offer stability, creativity, and pride in craftsmanship. We believe the trades are not a secondary option — they are an extraordinary opportunity.a
Supporting youth who are interested in the trades is not just good for business. It is essential for our industry, our communities, and the legacy of craftsmanship itself.
Creating Pathways, Not Just Possibilities
Encouragement alone is not enough. Young people need exposure, mentorship, and opportunity.
Partnering with high schools creates tangible pathways into the workforce. Shop classes, internship programs, apprenticeships, and job-shadowing opportunities allow students to see what a career in the trades truly looks like. When they step into a fabrication shop, witness design translated into steel, and meet passionate craftspeople, the possibilities become real.
Mentorship plays a critical role. Experienced tradespeople pass down not only technical skills, but standards of excellence, problem-solving abilities, and professional integrity. This transfer of knowledge preserves craftsmanship while raising the next generation to an even higher level.
Strengthening Community Through Opportunity
Supporting youth in the trades also strengthens local communities. When young people are trained locally, they often remain local — building homes, businesses, and public spaces in the very communities that raised them. This creates economic resilience, stronger neighborhoods, and pride in shared spaces.
Investing in young makers is an investment in the future of our industry and the vitality of our community.
The future is forged by the hands willing to shape it.
