Building New Skills for the Next Generation
In today’s economy, few things are more essential than skilled trades workers who build, maintain, and repair the infrastructure we rely on every day. From electricians to HVAC technicians, welders to CDL drivers, these careers aren’t just jobs, they’re the backbone of our daily lives.
North American Trade Schools (NATS) is proud to train the next generation of skilled trades workers. At NATS, students don’t just learn in classrooms, they gain hands-on skills that prepare them for real careers in the trades. But NATS does more than provide education. We work to maintain community partnerships with trade schools, employers, and government agencies to help students find success after graduation.
These partnerships are vital. They connect training programs with the needs of the local workforce and help students access funding, internships, and career pathways that lead to fulfilling work. As the future of skilled trades workers continues to evolve, schools like NATS are ensuring students are prepared to stay on top of industry changes.
The Skilled Trades Worker Shortage
A skilled trades worker shortage is affecting cities across North America, and Baltimore is no exception. Local businesses are eager to hire, but there just aren’t enough trained workers to fill open positions.
That’s where trade school careers come in.
One of the most effective ways to close this gap is by strengthening community partnerships with trade schools. When trade schools, employers, and local governments work together, they create pipelines that lead directly from the classroom to the jobsite. These relationships also ensure that training programs are up-to-date and aligned with real-world demands.
As a result, students graduate ready to work, and employers find the skilled trades worker they need.
How Students Benefit from Community Partnerships
Better Training Programs
When local businesses get involved in education, everybody wins. Employers provide direct input on what tools, technologies, and techniques are most valuable in today’s workplace. This feedback allows NATS to build stronger, more targeted training programs.
Community organizations also play a crucial role. They help locals, especially those who may not have considered a skilled trade pathway, learn about opportunities in the field.
By collaborating with these partners, NATS makes sure students are learning exactly what they’ll use on the job—ensuring they become career-ready, skilled trades workers.
Real Job Experience
What jobs are there in the trades? The answer is extensive, and students often get to explore real options before they even graduate. Through internships and apprenticeships, NATS gives students the chance to gain experience while still in school.
Take the recent GAF Roofing program, for example. NATS partnered with GAF and local employers to host a job fair and hands-on training event. Students met with hiring managers, learned practical roofing techniques, and even lined up job interviews, all before completing their coursework.
Modern Location and Equipment
Technology changes fast, and so does the equipment used on job sites. At NATS, we continually update our equipment to stay current with the industries we serve so students can train with the same tools they’ll use in the field. That means less time adjusting after graduation and more time doing great work from day one.
With our new location at 5760 Wabash Avenue in Baltimore, we are equipped with expanded labs and modern tools to support our growing programs and meet the demands of our employer partners.
Better-Trained Instructors
Effective teaching starts with up-to-date knowledge. Through community partnerships with trade schools, employers can help instructors stay current on new techniques, tools, and safety practices. Knowledge passed along to NATS students will better coincide with current industry standards.
Some companies even sponsor continuing education or send professionals to guest lecture, bringing fresh insights directly into the classroom.
More Job Opportunities
When companies get involved early, they meet students face-to-face and can identify promising candidates for future employment. Some even extend job offers that begin following graduation, making the path from student to employee much smoother. This is a win-win: students get hired quickly, and companies secure skilled trades workers who are ready to contribute.
Types of Community Partnerships
Community partnerships with trade schools take many forms, including:
- Resource Agencies: These organizations help potential students find funding, transportation, childcare, and more, removing barriers to education.
- Employer Advisory Boards: Businesses help shape the curriculum to reflect current industry needs.
- Apprenticeships: Students earn while they learn, combining classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training.
- Job Fairs and Hiring Events: These bring employers, students, and instructors together to network and explore career options.
All of these efforts supports a stronger connection between training and employment, which is critical in preparing skilled trades workers for success.
Helping the Community Thrive
Beyond just helping individual students, these partnerships create opportunities for entire communities. Many companies and organizations actively support trade school careers for people from underserved backgrounds, whether through scholarships, mentoring, or job fairs.
By investing in education, businesses aren’t just filling jobs, they’re building stronger, more cohesive neighborhoods. When local residents have access to good-paying careers nearby, everyone benefits.
Challenges to Overcome
Of course, building and maintaining these partnerships isn’t always easy. It takes communication, collaboration, and shared goals.
To succeed, all sides must commit to ongoing dialogue and cooperation. Success can be tracked through student satisfaction, certification rates, and especially job placement rates. When everyone pulls together, the results can be transformative for local economies and communities.
Real-Life Success Stories
Specialized Training Programs
Some partnerships go even further, creating specialized training pathways. For example, NATS has supported programs for women in welding, diesel technology, and CDL driving, all crucial fields, especially in times of infrastructure repair like the recent efforts to rebuild the Key Bridge.
These programs have helped hundreds of skilled trades workers launch into high-demand industries, offering clear proof that trade school careers are a smart and sustainable choice.
Apprenticeship Models
Other students have taken advantage of part-time, paid apprenticeship models. These programs give students a chance to earn money while they learn, reducing student debt and increasing motivation.
Apprenticeships are one of the best answers to the question: What jobs are there in the trades? Because they show that education doesn’t have to mean four years in a classroom. Instead, students can gain experience and income while they build a real career.
What North American Trade Schools Can Do
As the need for skilled workers continues to grow, NATS is committed to:
- Asking local businesses what skills they seek most.
- Creating more internship and apprenticeship opportunities for students.
- Raising funds to improve tools, equipment, and facilities.
- Hosting job fairs and bringing industry professionals into the classroom.
- Tracking student outcomes and using the data to improve programs.
By focusing on these areas, NATS ensures that its students are truly prepared for the future of skilled trades.
Bridging the Gap Between Training and Employment
Community partnerships with trade schools like NATS are essential. They prepare students for success, support local businesses, and strengthen communities.
At a time when skilled trades workers are in high demand, schools like NATS are proud to lead the way in training the next generation. Through strong collaboration with employers, government agencies, and support organizations, NATS is helping students succeed in trade school careers and building the workforce of the future.
Employers, students, and community leaders: we invite you to join us in this mission. Let’s work together to build a better future, one skilled trades worker at a time.