THE BLACKLIGHT TRADE INITIATIVE PROGRAM
A youth education program that aims to revitalize youth interest in the trade industry. Geared towards highschool upperclassmen within underprivileged school districts, the program is dedicated to equipping students with marketable skills as well as exposing them to the vast array of tradework opportunities that they may not have been privy to.
THE UNDERLYING PROBLEMS
RISING DEMANDS
With the national average age for most trades being 40+ years of age, older tradesmen are beginning to near the end of their career. Consequently, there has become a rising demand for qualified and skilled men and women.
LACK OF DIVERSITY
Across three of the major trades (Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC), 74% of employees are caucasian. High school graduates and trade school enrollees from underprivileged communities have expressed their angst about being employable within these trades due to their ethnicity.
THE 'RIGHT' INFORMATION
We’ve spoken with numerous high school seniors as well as high school graduates who are currently enrolled in trade school programs; one of the biggest problems that they face is understanding what their ‘next steps’ should be. Obtaining licensure in certain trades -especially for electrical, plumbing and HVAC- has become a daunting process as of the last five-to-ten years due to the lengthy list of newly added requirements.
WHAT WE OFFER
1
TRUNCATED COURSES
The incorporation of basic trade courses into after school/elective curriculums for aspiring apprentices in an effort to give them exposure to industry expectations.
2
WORKSHOPS
Hosting supplemental informational workshops (regarding trade school options as well as certification courses) for highschool upperclassmen during their college admissions processes.
3
FREE TUTORING
Being that most trades are relatively math intensive, we are offering highschool students free after school math tutoring sessions in an effort to increase math proficiency scores and mathematical acumen.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
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