Connections Academy Partnerships Introduce Students to the Skilled Trades

August 23, 2024 byMartin Schneider

4 min to read

Student in a yellow shirt standing in front of a yellow wall holding a yellow folder smiling.

How do you define professional success?

For many people, it means having a career that’s personally fulfilling, financially rewarding, and has a positive impact in the lives of others. Today, there are many ways to achieve professional success, and even more paths to get there—two- or four-year college degrees, apprenticeships, or skilled trades programs.

Millions of Americans enjoy fulfilling, rewarding careers as tradespeople, but for students, it can be difficult to know how to explore these professions, or how to get started, before graduating high school.

Path to Pro Program Introduces Connections Academy Students to Careers in Skilled Trades

Connections Academy has partnered with The Home Depot to introduce students to careers in the skilled trades while they are still in school. Enrolled students (and recent graduates) will have access to The Home Depot’s Path to Pro Skills Program, which includes free on-demand online courses in electrical, drywall, painting, plumbing, HVAC, and general construction and more.

“We want to meet our students where they are, whether they want to attend college or go immediately into the labor market,” said Pearson Virtual Schools VP for Careers, Casey Welch. “The Home Depot’s Path to Pro program is a great fit because it is all about providing high school students early pathways to training and education in rewarding fields.”

Beyond courses, the program enables Connections Academy students, ages 16 or older, to join a network of established skilled trade professionals, as well as receive career guidance on crafting resumes and building interview-readiness skills. Better still, when students turn 18, they can also upload their resume, showcase their skills, and even apply for real-world projects, apprenticeships, and jobs.

What Are Skilled Trades?

A skilled trade is any occupation that requires a particular skill set, knowledge, or ability. It is usually a hands-on job, but skilled trades are found in hundreds of industries.

Tradespeople often work as contractors, electricians, carpenters, landscapers – a wide range of professionals who play an essential role in every community. Tradespeople are always in-demand, with nearly 650,000 job openings every year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Many trade professionals even own their own company.

How can Students Pursue Trades While Still in High School?

Whether students are certain about a career in the trades or are just starting to explore the many possibilities, it is important that they gain actual experience, especially given the hands-on nature of skilled trade work.

Beyond the opportunities that might be available through the Path to Pro Skills Program, students can usually find opportunities in their local communities. Trade professionals are often looking for apprenticessome companies may offer internships or apprenticeships. However, pursuing these opportunities can be difficult for students whose time is limited by the traditional school schedule.

But for students enrolled in a Connections Academy-supported school their day-to-day learning schedule can be designed to meet their unique career goals. The flexibility of online school can enable students to spend time during the day on the jobsite, learning from professional tradespeople in their communities, while completing their schoolwork in the evenings.

How can Connections Academy Help Students Reach Their Career Goals?

With countless professional possibilities, and just as many career paths, students are free to explore their interests and follow their passions as they look toward what’s next after high school. Connections Academy’s role is to help each student discover the path that’s right for them.

"We're making the college and career prep experience for high school students more meaningful… whether that means planning for college or opting to earn job-ready credentials while in high school – or both,” said SVP of Business Development at Pearson Virtual Schools, Nik Osborne. “This is about connecting students to their unique interests and giving them the support they need to be confident about their next steps."

Ready to learn more about online education? Reach out to our enrollment team to find the answers to all of your questions about how Connections Academy can help students prepare for their futures.