According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, 99% of employers stated their number one issue they face is finding employees. Jobs in the skilled trades are high paying, with the average starting hourly wage for an advanced manufacturing worker at $31.44 an hour.  President Biden discussed the shortage of skilled trade workers in his State of the Union address where he referenced the unfilled jobs paying $130,000 a year and did not require a post-secondary education. 

On Friday, April 21, STARS Principal Andre Spinelli and Pine Bush High School Principal Aaron Hopmayer will make a short presentation to a group of ninth-grade students about a new opportunity for those interested in the skilled trades (construction, electrical, advanced manufacturing, etc.). This new program, the Skilled Trades Academy, will still require any necessary Regents exams for graduation. However, some of the coursework will be different. For example, there will be an emphasis on technical reading/writing that is found in manuals and math electives with instruction tailored toward job-related skills. Students will have opportunities to explore different careers.

After the presentation, students will come home with a short description of the program and a form for a parent/guardian to sign if they are interested in attending.

If your child is currently enrolled in ninth grade and interested in the new Skilled Trades Academy but is not called down for the meeting on Friday, please have them contact their school counselor and express their interests. You may also send your child’s counselor an email or contact them via phone.