Warrensburg Central School District’s Jr.-Sr. High School counselor, Sarah Landers, spoke at the LBM Executive Council on Construction Supply, an event where industry leaders gather to discuss the future of the building materials and construction trades. Landers was invited by Doug Ford, Vice President of Curtis Lumber, to present on behalf of the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition.

Landers' message was clear; schools have a vital role in promoting the trades, especially in a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping traditional career paths.

“Every student deserves to know the trades are a viable and lucrative opportunity,” Landers said, highlighting the need for schools to connect students with internships, job shadowing, and hands-on experiences that showcase the breadth of career opportunities available.

The Coalition, founded in 2023 as a nonprofit organization, began with simple but impactful projects, like giving elementary students the chance to build toolboxes. These small projects introduced children to practical skills and opened conversations about the many careers within the trades.

That early “seed planting” has grown into a network of nearly 90 member organizations, representing schools, businesses, and unions committed to preparing the next generation of skilled workers.

One of the Coalition’s most celebrated initiatives is its Girls Construction Camp, designed for middle school students in grades 6–8. The camp provides a supportive environment for girls to explore practical skills, from basic tool use to small-scale building projects.

“It isn’t a hard pitch, it’s an introduction to working with your hands,” Matthew Whitbeck of Whitbeck Construction said. “Even if students don’t pursue construction, these are lifelong skills they will carry into adulthood.”

In 2023–24, the program spotlighted women in the trades with a female-led shed build. Students from Northville and five other school districts completed six sheds in just five hours, proving the power of teamwork and mentorship.

For older students, the Coalition partners with schools to bring teens to active job sites, exposing them to what a day in the trades looks like. At Warrensburg, Landers has seen firsthand how the Coalition supports schools in expanding opportunities for students. While the district faced challenges in transporting students long distances to BOCES programs, the Coalition stepped in with resources and connections.

“By giving students hands-on opportunities and exposure to real job sites, they see the trades not just as an option, but as a sustainable career where they can make a good living,” Landers said. “Our partnership with the Coalition has been invaluable to our families.”

As AI continues to transform workplaces, Landers believes that trades education is more important than ever.

“We try to press that AI is amazing, but it’s not going to take the place of the house you build,” she explained. “From second graders building toolboxes to high schoolers on job sites, these experiences show students that the trades are not just jobs—they are essential, rewarding careers.”