Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition Working to Build the Next Generation of Trades Professionals

The Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition (NCTWC) is reshaping how young people—and the adults who influence them—view careers in the skilled trades. Founded from a grassroots workforce effort, the coalition has grown into a regional nonprofit known for its innovation in student engagement and career awareness.

Origins Rooted in Industry Need

Roughly eight years ago, Doug Ford of Curtis Lumber was appointed to a workforce task force through the Saratoga Builders Association. Recognizing the growing labor shortage and lack of understanding among students about trade careers, Ford immediately recruited colleague Pam Stott. Together, they began developing programs designed to introduce youth to construction and trade pathways.

For six years, this work was done on a volunteer basis as part of their corporate roles. As demand rapidly increased, Ford and Stott transitioned the initiative into a formal nonprofit structure. The coalition officially became a 501(c)(6) nearly two years ago, and Stott retired from Curtis Lumber to serve as executive director. 

A Mission Focused on Awareness, Not Training

NCTWC focuses on awareness—ensuring students know these opportunities exist and understand what they offer. Their mission emphasizes:

• Accurate information on potential earnings, benefits and job security
• Awareness of non-physical roles such as project management and logistics
• Career advancement and entrepreneurial potential
• Early-stage exposure that can influence career decision-making

This “awareness-first” approach has remained unchanged since the organization was formed.

Programs Designed to Reach Students Early and Often

The coalition does not wait until graduation-year planning begins. Their education model starts early and builds sequentially through school age groups.

Elementary Programs

Students as young as second grade build small wooden toolboxes—over 1,200 last year alone. The toolbox build is a hands on tool to:

• Carpentry and creativity
• Discuss the people involved in constructing their homes
• Encourages motor skills and problem solving

While basic on the surface, the program plants a seed early.

Middle School Experiences

At this stage, programs are tied heavily to classroom curriculum. One example is a real-world geometry and design activity where students build a multi-sided structure, reinforcing:

• STEM and soft skills
• Teamwork and time management
• Construction planning and design

Students begin to see how subjects commonly asked about—such as “when will I use this?”—directly connect to real-life work.

High School Exposure and On-Site Learning

At the high school level, programming becomes career-oriented. Students participate in:

• Job-site tours of active construction sites
• Exposure to the phases of construction and various trades involved
• Meeting builders and trades professionals face-to-face
• Job shadowing
• Internships
• Visits to local businesses to explore real-life careers

The coalition intentionally brings in younger trades professionals when possible to create strong peer relatability.

One student, previously committed to college, was introduced to multiple trades companies through job shadowing experiences. He ultimately entered the industry full-time and has remained in the field successfully.

A Major Breakthrough: Engaging School Counselors

From the beginning, NCTWC recognized the role of school counselors as a key factor in student decision-making. Many, however, previously had limited exposure to trade professions and emphasized college as the expected pathway for academically strong students.

The coalition changed that narrative through counselor-focused efforts including:

• Workforce workshops designed specifically for counselors
• Job-site construction tours at major projects
• Structured conversations with trades industry professionals
• Resource development for school use

NCTWC is helping equip counselors with knowledge and resources to assist in their conversations with students and parents about career opportunities in the trades. They are reinforcing the trades as a viable career option and not a default alternative to college.

Empowering Young Women in Trades Careers

One of the coalition’s most celebrated programs is its girls-only construction summer camp.

During camp sessions, participants:

• Use tools ranging from power drills to pneumatic nailers
• Build functioning projects
• Learn building science
• Work directly with industry mentors

Students often leave camp with large-scale projects, including planter boxes, outdoor chairs, vertical gardens and even fully constructed sheds. Attendance has increased enough that the camp has expanded from one week to two. Parents consistently cite confidence-building outcomes.

Industry-Wide Collaboration

NCTWC now represents collaboration among many construction-related companies, not just its founders. Builders frequently rearrange jobsite schedules so they can present to classrooms, lead field trips or host student job shadows.

Curtis Lumber and Saratoga Builders Association continue as founding partners. Over 90 organizations are now members of the coalition providing financial and volunteer engagement. Companies regularly report that

Scaling Beyond New York

Recently, more than 100 lumber dealers from around the United States visited the region specifically to evaluate the coalition’s model. Multiple companies expressed interest in launching similar chapters in their home markets.

Plans are underway to package the model into a scalable format for national rollout allowing new regions to replicate the coalition’s programming and branding standards.

What began as a local workforce initiative is now positioned to influence career awareness nationwide.

A New Understanding of What the Trades Offer

The coalition is helping dismantle outdated assumptions surrounding trade professions. Modern trades careers offer:

• Competitive earnings
• Healthcare and retirement benefits
• Rapid advancement pathways
• Business ownership potential
• Skilled, meaningful craftsmanship

For many students, the trades represent stability paired with visible, tangible accomplishment.

And critically, trade careers are not just for those uninterested in college or less academically inclined —they are often ideal for students with strong academic or technical aptitude.

Looking Ahead

What started as two industry professionals trying to solve a workforce problem has become a transformational regional initiative. Through hands-on programs, student engagement, school counselor development and industry collaboration, the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition is helping young people discover fulfilling career paths while strengthening the trades workforce pipeline.

Their growing impact—soon to reach beyond the Northeast—stands to change how future generations see building, making and craftsmanship in America.For more information, visit nctwc.org.