HS students explore trade school options at Edmonds College Trade Up event

The 11th annual Trade Up event at Edmonds College attracted over 200 high school students from the Edmonds, Mukilteo, and Everett school districts, exposing them to 14 different construction trades. Sponsored by the Snohomish & Island County Labor Council, the event featured organizations like Snohomish County PUD and Carpenters Local 425. Charlotte Murry, a council executive board member, noted the increase in minority and diverse gender representation among participants. Seth Newsome of Laborers’ Union Local 292 shared his journey from a teenager in construction to a business agent, expressing pride in the impact of their work on infrastructure. Julie Mainstone, PUD’s Apprentice Program Administrator, pointed out the decline of shop classes in schools and the growing need for skilled tradespeople.

The federal government’s reduction of funding for certain programs, mentioned by Ironworkers Local 86 President Bryan Johnson, threatens to widen the gap in the labor market. The event signifies a shift in school focus, recognizing the importance of trade skills alongside traditional college education. As the demand for skilled labor rises, initiatives like Trade Up aim to bridge the gap in workforce shortages.