Interest in skilled trades surges nearly 14%

At 15, Ryley Potlas already knows what she wants to do with her life.

The Kiski Area School District freshman dreams of a career in welding, and she’s getting a jump on it by enrolling at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington.

“There’s a big need for welders,” Potlas said. “I entered the program because I thought it was interesting and could lead to good money. I like that (the school) offers industry certifications to help me get a head start on my career.”

Potlas is not alone in eyeing a skilled labor job.

Vocational education is enjoying a major resurgence: Enrollment climbed 13.6% nationwide in fall 2024, according to the nonprofit National Student Clearinghouse.

It marks the second year of double-digit growth.

Eric Heasley, executive director of the A.W. Beattie Career Center in Allison Park, said all 18 programs offered by the school will be full in the coming academic year.

His enrollment is projected to go from last year’s 1,029 to 1,055, and that number has increased steadily over the past eight years.

Interest in any given program, Heasley said, depends on market trends in the industry. These trends are determined by industry professionals who work closely with A.W. Beattie educators as advisers to ensure that students are being set up for success.

Jason Hicks, executive director at the Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, said numbers at his school mirror the nationwide trend.

“There’s a lot of good happening here,” Hicks said.

“It’s a testament to our teachers and the high demand for skilled trades. That combined with strong post-pandemic growth has a lot of things benefiting us.”

The center offers 13 programs for students from Burrell, Franklin Regional, Kiski Area and New Kensington-Arnold school districts.

Hicks said enrollment for fall is expected to be nearly 640 students, up 21% from the past school year.

A declining infrastructure and aging workforce have created a surging demand for welders, electricians, health care technicians, HVAC techs and more.

“The labor shortage directly relates to job security and increased wages for our skilled workers,” Hicks said.

Maddock Shoemaker, a Kiski Area senior, is passionate about math and manufacturing after enrolling in the advanced manufacturing and robotics technology program.

It was a natural choice for the 17-year-old.

“I am proud to follow in my father’s footsteps in the machine tool industry,” Shoemaker said. “I enjoy the entire process.”

Industry assistance

To court the renewed interest in trades — and prepare for the next generation of railroaders — Norfolk Southern has launched a $5,000 scholarship called Trades on Track.

It’s aimed at fueling the comeback of skilled employment.

“Skilled trades are the backbone of the railroad industry,” said Jason Scott, Norfolk Southern director of talent acquisition. “From locomotive technicians and signal specialists to track maintenance crews and railcar mechanics, these highly trained professionals keep our network running safely and efficiently.”

Norfolk Southern operates a 22-state freight transportation network, delivering about 7 million train car loads annually that run the gamut from agriculture to consumer goods.

Vo-tech education programs are critical in preparing future trade workers with hands-on experience, Scott said.

“The surge in vocational school enrollment comes at a pivotal time as demand for rail continues to grow,” he said. “These programs create real pathways to well-paying, stable careers and support our commitment to hiring locally and strengthening the communities we serve.

“Our trade colleagues don’t just keep the trains moving, they move the American economy forward.”

The Trades on Track scholarship is open to vocational students and adults looking to reskill. Money can be used for tuition, computer equipment, tools and other expenses.

The Pittsburgh region, Scott said, is a critical hub for Norfolk Southern, facilitating freight between the East Coast and the Midwest.

The company employs about 2,700 people across the state.

According to the Association of American Railroads, the industry has a disproportionately older workforce, with a large percentage of employees nearing retirement age.

The scholarship not only addresses workforce shortages, but also creates economic mobility pathways and invests in the area’s skilled talent pipeline, Scott said.

Demand across the board

Other trade industries are also in demand.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics projected more than 40,000 job openings each year for HVAC techs and installers through 2033.

Programs at trade and technical schools nationwide saw HVAC enrollment grow 27% to 25,000 students last year, up 41% over 2020, according to digital media company Homepros.

During covid shutdowns that caused other businesses to collapse, skilled trades remained.

At the same time, vo-tech schools evolved.

“The vo-techs of yesterday are not the career and technical centers of today,” Hicks said.

Curriculum and instructional methods have changed to meet current workforce standards. That allows students to transition directly from high school into entry-level positions in their chosen fields, Hicks said. Apprenticeships with local employers are also a support.

“It goes back to passion,” he said. “We are working with students that love learning by doing.”

Kiski Area senior Jordyn Lubik studies health occupations at Northern Westmoreland CTC. The 18-year-old aspires to be a registered nurse.

“I really want to help people feel cared for and make sure they have a good quality of life,” Lubik said. “This program has helped me learn the basics I’ll need when I go to nursing school. It’s given me a great start.”