Trumbull County middle and high school students recently had the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of skilled trades at the 4th annual Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades event. Held at the Canfield Fairgrounds, this event provided students with hands-on experiences across a broad spectrum of careers, from electrical work, carpentry, pipe fitting, and concrete to the operation of heavy machinery.
The significance of this annual event cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in the mission to engage and inspire young minds to explore careers in the skilled trades. The overwhelming turnout, especially from middle school students, is a testament to the event's success in exposing them to many career possibilities. C&I Supervisor James Rook expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This yearly event is a critical part of the mission to get kids involved in skilled trades. Seeing such a large turnout is awesome, especially at the middle school level. It's imperative that these students see the opportunities available at a younger age."
Adding to the excitement of this year's expo was the introduction a pre-apprenticeship-based competition, where participants were put to the test against the clock, showcasing their mathematics proficiency, hands-on skills, and practical application abilities.