For most high school seniors, the question isn’t whether to go to college. It’s where.

Josh Speer didn’t question it either. Until he did.

Watch: Josh Speer’s Story at NCST

Discovering The Trades as a Career

The assumption gets baked in early, in guidance counselors’ offices, in dinner table conversations, in the quiet pressure that builds through four years of classes designed to prepare you for four more. College is the default setting for life after graduation, and for many students, no one ever questions it.

“I always thought I would go to college,” he said. “Senior year kind of switched it up for me.” Josh graduated from Riverside High School in New Castle, Pa., and was a normal student. He described himself as a fly-under-the-radar kid: he got along fine, kept his head down, and made it through school. But as senior year arrived and the college conversation grew louder, something didn’t feel right.

It wasn’t that college seemed too hard. It was that he could already see what more years in a classroom would look like for him, and he didn’t want it. “Just doing homework all the time, just being in a classroom the whole time,” he said. “I can’t do it. I couldn’t do it.”

For many students, that feeling gets buried. It鈥檚 written off as laziness, fear, or a lack of readiness to grow up. For Josh, it was self-awareness. He wasn’t a sit-and-memorize learner. He had never been. And rather than spend four years and tens of thousands of dollars studying things that didn鈥檛 interest him, Josh started looking for another way.

“I just realized college wasn’t the answer for me,” he said. “Trade school was my best option.”

Finding 91快活林

Once the college assumption fell away, the path forward came into focus quickly. Josh began researching trade schools and programs in the area. 91快活林 was the closest option, so he scheduled a visit to see the campus for himself.

He enrolled that same day. “I took a visit here. I thought it was a pretty cool campus,” he said. “I got to talk to all the teachers, and I just thought it was a good fit.”

There was no agonizing over the decision. The hands-on environment, the smaller class sizes, the instructors who spent time talking to him all added up fast. For someone who had spent years in classrooms that felt out of sync with how he learned, walking into NCST felt like the opposite.

A Different Kind of Classroom

Josh enrolled in the Industrial Electro-Mechanical Technology program, building skills in major building, industrial, and alternative energy systems. One wall is dedicated to electrical systems. Another features live plumbing. Every corner of the space is a working system, something real that can be taken apart, diagnosed, and put back together.

“We have a lot of different stuff we learn in here,” he said. “Something different every day. That’s what I like about it.”

That daily variety, and the constant physical engagement with real problems, is exactly what Josh was missing. In trade school, information doesn’t live on a page waiting to be memorized and forgotten. It lives in the wall in front of you.

“If you get all the information in a book, you’re not really seeing it in front of you,” Josh said. “Seeing it in front of you is definitely a lot of help.”

Smaller class sizes further sharpen that experience. When a concept isn’t clicking, instructors notice. The class doesn’t move on without you.

“We have a smaller class here, so the teacher can help whoever needs help,” he said. “I feel like they care a little bit more, because this is a life career for me.”

Built-In Community

What Josh didn’t anticipate when he enrolled was the culture he would find inside the program. His classmates look out for each other in a way that surprised him. “I’m kind of the kid of the group,” he said, laughing. “They always help me. They definitely look out for me.” It mirrors the way the trades really work in the field: knowledge passed between people, experience shared freely, everyone pulling toward the same outcome. Nobody gets ahead by holding someone else back. “We all help each other here,” he said. “I’m grateful I met the guys here.”

His hard work paid off. In January 2026, Josh was accepted into the National Honor Society with a handful of his peers.

A Future-Proof Career

Ask Josh about the long-term outlook for his chosen field, and he doesn’t blink.

“There’s always going to be a need for a guy who fixes things,” he said. “You’re always going to have stuff that’s broken. We’re the guys you call in to fix it.”

He and his classmates have talked about what it means to work in a field that automation and artificial intelligence can’t easily touch. Technology reshapes industries, but the skilled trades remain stubbornly hands-on. Someone still has to show up and put their hands on it.

“We kind of know we’ve got job security,” Josh said. “It’s a pretty future-proof career.”

That confidence is already paying off. Before graduation, Josh secured a position with Elwood Group, a specialty metals company that helped fund a portion of his schooling through NCST’s employer partnership program. After graduation, he’ll enter their apprenticeship program before transitioning to a full-time role, a pipeline made possible by employers actively recruiting on the NCST campus throughout the year.

鈥淒ifferent companies come in every quarter that offer all these good things to you,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey want you to apply. They’re looking for you.鈥�

The Advice He’d Give

For students wrapping up high school who feel like the standard four-year path doesn’t quite fit, but aren’t sure what the alternative looks like, Josh’s advice is direct.

鈥淒o some research, because there are options out there,” he said. 鈥淭rade school is always an option. They鈥檙e more affordable and definitely better learning.鈥�

When he tells people in his community that he chose the trades, the reaction is almost always the same.

鈥淭hey have so much respect for me,” he said. 鈥淭hey’re like, 鈥楾hat’s the best option you could do for yourself.鈥� The community definitely backs the trades.鈥�

His final word for anyone still on the fence is to just show up and see for yourself.

鈥淪chedule a visit. It can’t hurt to just come here and check it out,鈥� he said. “That’s what I did, and I thought it was the right fit. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.鈥�

• Blog: The Importance of Enrolling in an Alternative Energy Training Program
• Explore the Industrial Electro-Mechanical Technology Program
• Visit the Campus: Schedule a Tour of Our New Castle Campus

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The construction industry is short of qualified heavy equipment operators. For people evaluating career options in the trades, skilled operators are in demand, employers are competing to hire them, and training takes less than a year through a trade school program.

What is a Heavy Equipment Operator?

Heavy equipment operators control large machines used in construction, mining, utilities, and agriculture. They move earth, lift materials, grade land, and prepare job sites for building. Precision matters because these machines can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and operate near other workers.

Types of Equipment

• Excavators: dig trenches, foundations, and drainage channels
• Bulldozers: clear and push large volumes of earth
• Backhoes: versatile machines that dig and load in a single pass
• Cranes: lift and position steel beams, concrete panels, and heavy loads
• Motor graders: create smooth, level surfaces for roads and pads
• Loaders: move materials across a job site

Daily Responsibilities and Work Conditions

Operators begin each shift with a safety inspection covering hydraulics, fuel, and mechanical systems. Before the machine moves, they review a site plan (a scaled drawing showing layout, dimensions, and elevation targets), so they understand grading specifications (the required slope or elevation of the finished ground surface) and project goals.

During the workday, they manage multiple controls at once while tracking workers, obstacles, and ground conditions. Basic maintenance is also part of the job:

• Greasing joints
• Checking fluids
• Reporting issues

Work is performed outdoors year-round. Shifts commonly run eight to twelve hours, overtime is frequent during active construction seasons, and colder climates like western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio see seasonal slowdowns over winter.

Skills Required

• Hand-eye coordination 鈥� essential for precise control of hydraulic systems and machine movements
• Spatial reasoning 鈥� helps judge distances, angles, and clearances in tight or congested work areas
• Physical stamina 鈥� shifts run eight to twelve hours in variable weather; lifting 50 or more pounds is routine
• Mechanical aptitude 鈥� ability to detect unusual sounds or performance issues and communicate them clearly to maintenance teams
• Safety awareness 鈥� must guide every decision on a job site, from pre-shift inspection through shutdown

Certifications and Licensing

Credentials demonstrate that an operator understands safety protocols and can handle equipment responsibly. The table below summarizes the most common certifications and who needs them.

Certifications have expiration dates and require periodic renewal. State licensing rules vary, so check state requirements before enrolling in training.

Class A CDL: Why Equipment Operators Get One

You aren鈥檛 required to hold a CDL to operate heavy equipment on a job site. Federal regulations do not classify an excavator, bulldozer, backhoe, or motor grader working within a private construction site as a commercial motor vehicle. OSHA safety training and employer certifications govern on-site operation.

However, when equipment must be transported between job sites on public roads, a Class A CDL is required. Since most heavy equipment cannot travel on public highways under its own power, it is usually loaded onto a tractor-trailer for transport. That tractor-trailer combination requires a Class A CDL.

Heavy equipment operators who can both operate machines on site and drive the transport truck between jobs are significantly more valuable to employers. That dual capability may be the deciding factor in hiring decisions.

Some programs integrate Class A CDL preparation into the heavy equipment curriculum, so students can earn both credentials in a single enrollment period.

Getting a CDL in Pennsylvania

The steps below reflect Pennsylvania’s CDL process. Ohio applicants should confirm requirements with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Applicants must hold a valid non-commercial driver’s license and be at least 18 for intrastate driving or 21 for interstate driving.

• Pass the written knowledge test. The Class A test covers general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles. Applicants study from the PennDOT CDL manual and test at a Driver License Center.
• Obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). PennDOT issues a CLP valid for 180 days, allowing behind-the-wheel practice with a certified instructor.
• Complete behind-the-wheel training. Training must come from a program approved by PennDOT and listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
• Pass a DOT physical examination. A certified medical examiner must confirm the applicant is physically qualified to operate a commercial vehicle. The Medical Examiner’s Certificate is valid for up to 24 months and must be kept current.
• Pass the skills test. The road test covers a pre-trip inspection, off-road maneuvers, and a parking exercise.

Steps to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator

No prior machine experience is required. Programs are designed for beginners and can typically be completed in six to eighteen months, depending on the path chosen.

1. Enroll in a training program

Look for programs that combine classroom instruction with significant hands-on machine time, cover multiple equipment types, and include safety certification preparation. Trade school diploma programs typically run 30 weeks to one year.

2. Gain seat time

Seat time, the hours spent operating equipment, separates trained operators from untrained ones. Quality programs provide supervised time on excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, and loaders, and teach students to read site plans and grading specifications.

3. Earn certifications and consider adding a Class A CDL

OSHA 10-Hour certification is required on virtually every commercial job site and should be a priority. Operators who also hold a Class A CDL can drive the transport truck that hauls equipment between job sites, a skill many employers consider a significant advantage, and programs that include CDL preparation allow students to earn both credentials without extending their training.

4. Understanding trade school vs. apprenticeship

Trade school is a realistic starting point for most beginners. Union apprenticeships through the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) take three to four years, combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, and lead to union membership with higher pay floors and better benefits, but typically require prior construction experience, a high school diploma or GED, and a basic aptitude test.

For most people entering the industry with no background, trade school is the first step. The experience gained in an entry-level role is often what makes an applicant eligible for an apprenticeship later.

5. Apply for entry-level positions

Entry-level operators typically start at construction companies, utility contractors, and mining operations. Most new hires begin on lower-complexity equipment under supervision before being assigned independent tasks, a ramp-up that is shorter for graduates who arrive with foundational skills already in place.

Career Path and Job Outlook

What Operators Earn

According to BLS May 2024 OEWS data, the median annual wage for . Wages in Pennsylvania and Ohio are consistent with national medians.

Job Outlook

for construction equipment operators from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 46,200 openings per year over the decade. Most openings are driven by retirements, since roughly 70 percent of current operators are 50 or older, and demand extends beyond construction into utilities, mining, and agriculture.

Advancement

Operators who master multiple machine types and maintain strong safety records earn access to more complex projects and higher-paying assignments. With experience, operators move into site supervision, equipment maintenance coordination, or training roles, and some establish independent contracting businesses.

Start Your Heavy Equipment Training at 91快活林

91快活林 offers a 30-week Heavy Equipment Operations program at its New Castle, PA campus. Students train on excavators, front loaders, backhoes, bulldozers, and dump trucks using both lever-style and joystick controls. The program includes Class A CDL exam preparation and the opportunity to earn NCCER credentials. Graduates qualify for entry-level positions as equipment operators, dump truck drivers, and grade helpers. Job placement assistance is included.

Learn more at about our Heavy Equipment Operations training program.

Conclusion

A career as a heavy equipment operator offers competitive wages, steady demand, and a clear path from training to employment. The median wage exceeds the national median for all occupations, and the job requires no four-year degree.

With roughly 70 percent of the current operator workforce aged 50 or older, qualified new operators are entering a job market that is actively looking for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certifications do I need to become a heavy equipment operator?

OSHA 10-Hour is standard across the industry. Programs affiliated with NCCER allow students to earn portable, industry-recognized credentials. 91快活林 students are eligible to attempt NCCER certifications, and crane operators need separate NCCCO credentials regardless of where they trained.

What are entry-level jobs in heavy equipment operations?

Jobs include equipment operators, dump truck drivers, tractor-trailer drivers, grade helpers, and forklift operators. With a Class A CDL, the range expands further, and 91快活林 graduates receive job placement assistance to connect with hiring employers in the region.

Do I need to pass a drug test to be a heavy equipment operator?

Most construction employers require a pre-employment drug test, and CDL holders are subject to ongoing federal testing requirements under FMCSA regulations throughout their careers. A positive result will typically disqualify a candidate from employment.

The post How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator appeared first on 91快活林.

Alex Stefek had a great time in high school. He made friends, played sports, and built relationships that he expects to carry for the rest of his life. But if you ask about the classroom, his answer changes.

Academics were never his thing. Bookwork bored him. Weekly studying left him disengaged. The format never matched how he learned.

Alex was never a sit-and-memorize student. He needed to do something with his hands, to understand why it mattered, and to see the connection to real life. In high school, that mostly never happened.

Why High School Didn鈥檛 Work for Him

Alex grew up in Poland, Ohio, and attended Poland Seminary High School. Sports, especially football, were the center of his world. He had been playing since elementary school, and the game gave him something the classroom rarely did: skills that meant something beyond a grade on a page.

“Sports taught me how to be a leader and how to deal with adversity in my life,鈥� he said.

That skill was tested in his junior year, when he broke his leg in a game. Surgeons inserted a titanium rod into his shin bone. The jersey he wore that night had to be cut off.

“That jersey tells a big story about me,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tuff happens in life, but you always have to come back.”

And he did come back. In his senior year, he was voted team captain and played what he calls the best football of his life. But while life was fun, Alex still needed to focus on his future.

Why He Chose Welding Over a Four-Year Degree

Reflecting on his academic experience, Alex said it wasn鈥檛 that the material was too hard. He just didn鈥檛 feel connected to it.

“Learning math and science and all that, I never really was big into that,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 didn’t really enjoy bookwork and having to study every week, then basically forgetting it.鈥�

That preference for doing over reviewing would turn out to be exactly the mindset trade school is designed for. Alex鈥檚 choice was four years in a classroom, studying subjects he didn鈥檛 enjoy, or training for less than a year and entering the workforce.

When he found the welding program at 91快活林, it all clicked into place.

What Welding School Is Like

From the moment he started welding training, Alex knew he made the right decision.

Smaller class sizes meant instruction moved at a pace that works for everyone, not just those who caught on quickly. And everything was connected to something real: reading a tape measure, calculating the diameter of a pipe, understanding why precision mattered before you ever struck an arc.

In high school, large classes made it easy to fall behind and stay there. At NCST, that was not an option, and not because of the rules. It was because the instructors noticed.

“Trade school is a lot more interactive,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f the teacher goes up to the board and asks a question, we don鈥檛 move on until everyone understands.”

Instructors kept students accountable without overwhelming them, creating a structure that felt personal in a way that high school rarely did.

“The instructors took the time to review my progress individually,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen I needed help, they were willing to come into my booth, show me an example, and watch me do it. In high school, it was always one big classroom, and everyone was following the same orders. If you fell behind, it was easy to stay behind.”

A Class Where Everyone Has Your Back

The collaborative culture at NCST left an impression. Welding skills were shared. School wasn鈥檛 a competition. Students who were strong in one technique would share what they knew with classmates who were still working on it and receive the same in return.

In trade school, Alex found that teamwork was possible. That was what he loved about football: that the people around you share their successes and cheer yours.

“At the end of the day, we all want to get out of here and go make good money and start good careers. And we might as well be friends with the people you’re here with, because one day, you’ll never know if you show up to a job site and that’ll be the guy welding next to you.”

Earning a Welding Certification at NCST

Alex graduated with a combination welding certification and is excited about the future and the career opportunities in welding, as well as the job security that comes with it.

“Fabricating, pipe welding, ironworking; anything that has to do with steel, metal, non-ferrous metal,鈥� he said. 鈥淪omeone has to make cars, buildings, everything. There are a lot of opportunities, a lot of room for that skill set to be used.”

Skilled welders are in demand across construction, manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are each year, driven in part by an aging workforce and ongoing infrastructure investment. The combination welding credential gives graduates flexibility to pursue multiple career tracks.

Is Trade School Worth It? One Graduate鈥檚 Take

For students who still believe a four-year degree is the only path worth taking, Alex has a direct response. The trades offer career opportunities that can鈥檛 be replaced by technology, especially for hands-on learners.

“Think about what you’re good at right now,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you loved playing with Legos when you were a kid, and you like to use your hands, or you like to work outside, trades are an option for you.鈥�

He also points to what trade school offers that traditional education often does not: skills that will serve you for a lifetime and a career that won鈥檛 be taken away.

鈥淓verything breaks in the world, and someone needs to come and fix it,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here are a lot of different opportunities in the trades where you can grow for years upon years.鈥�

“I’ve learned a skill that I鈥檒l use for the rest of my life doing something I really, really enjoy.”

Alex Stefek came to NCST the same way he came back from a broken leg: ready to work, ready to get better, and willing to take the time to do it right. In the welding program, he found an environment that rewarded exactly that.

Learn More

• Explore the Program: Combination Welding at NCST
• Schedule a Tour of Our New Castle Campus

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Kenneth “Kenny” Alli grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, surrounded by family members who had built their livelihoods with their hands. Trade work wasn鈥檛 a fallback where he came from; it was a respected, well-established path. So when it came time to plan for life after high school, Kenny didn鈥檛 hesitate.

He enrolled in NCST鈥檚 Electrical Technology program after graduating from Valley Christian High School in 2022. By the time he was halfway through the program, employers were already calling.

WATCH: Kenny discusses his experience at NCST and what it鈥檚 like to enter the workforce as an electrician.

Choosing a Direction

High school gave Kenny his first real taste of routine: keeping up with grades, planning the next semester, adjusting to a schedule. He appreciated the structure, but he was still working out what came next. College crossed his mind, but it never quite the right fit.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think college was the right route for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淲here I come from, working a trade is a respected and normal path. That is what brought me to NCST.鈥�

He had briefly considered programming before settling on electrical. The appeal was straightforward: a focused, shorter path to a career with consistent demand. 鈥淭hat felt like a soft but solid landing for me,鈥� he said, 鈥渉elping me get my footing and start building toward what I want for my career.鈥�

Why NCST

NCST had been on Kenny’s radar long before he was ready to enroll. He drove past the sign on the highway regularly, and the school came up often in conversations around him. The more he learned about it, the more it seemed like the obvious next step. His family background reinforced the decision. Almost everyone around him had come out of a trade or a hands-on job. When he visited NCST, the environment confirmed what he already suspected.

He also noted how efficiently the enrollment process moved. He had previously explored apprenticeships, and while they were upfront about next steps, the timeline dragged. NCST was different.

鈥淲hen I applied to NCST, every step of the enrollment process was done within the same week,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here was no waiting list, no months of wondering if it was the right call. It was almost immediate, and I was able to just dive in.鈥�

Learning by Doing

Textbooks never quite worked for Kenny. He understood things through his hands, through the act of doing. Trade school gave him exactly that. 鈥淭he administration makes it easy to focus on your work and focus on your own improvement,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he environment pushes your learning forward rather than pulling you away from it.鈥�

He also values the transparency of trade school. In his view, one of the clearest advantages over a traditional degree is that you know what you鈥檙e getting into from day one.

鈥淲ith trade school, they tell you the job description up front,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey tell you what you are getting into. There are no surprises. They鈥檙e just straight up forward with you and lead you to what you may be doing for the rest of your life.鈥�

Employed Before Graduation

Before Kenny finished his third quarter, he was already working in the field. He took a position on a residential job site on the south side of Youngstown, and showed up wearing his school attire since there was no required uniform.

The transition from classroom to job site was smoother than he expected. The work was familiar because the training had prepared him for it. New situations came up, but they didn鈥檛 feel foreign.

鈥淚t showed me just how close the classroom experience is to real field work,鈥� he said. 鈥淥nce you dive in, new things come fast because they are already familiar.鈥�

Getting hired before graduation also confirmed something important for Kenny: the training he was receiving had real market value.

鈥淚 was employable before I even finished my third quarter,鈥� he said. 鈥淧eople were interested in me while I was still in school. They wanted to see me work in real time, and I proved myself in an area I plan to be in for a long time.鈥�

A Trade Built to Last

Kenny thinks about the long-term picture too. Electrical work isn鈥檛 going anywhere. As technology becomes more central to daily life, the need for skilled electricians grows alongside it, not in competition with it.

鈥淓lectricity is becoming more and more important,鈥� he said. 鈥淏eing in the trades and working with electricity, it will always be needed. I鈥檓 comfortable knowing that I鈥檒l always be able to do my job, really, not have that threatened.鈥�

Kenny’s message to anyone unsure about life after high school is straightforward: trades are transparent. You know what the job looks like before you commit.

鈥淭he best way to show someone how something works is to prove it to them,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith a trade, you can show a person exactly what they will be doing.鈥�

Learn More:

• Explore the Program: Electrical Technology
• Schedule a Tour of Our New Castle Campus

The post Trade School Stories: Kenneth “Kenny” Alli appeared first on 91快活林.

Arriving at NCST for her first day of HVAC training was an eye-opener for Alexandria Settle. As the only woman in the class, she admits she was a little nervous. 鈥淚 had no clue what I was getting myself into,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was scared I wasn鈥檛 going to make any friends, or that I wouldn鈥檛 want to do this anymore, because I had no people. I was going to be by myself.鈥� But her fears were quickly eased. She quickly bonded with her classmates, made friends, and settled into the group, finding a place for herself among her peers. 鈥淭hey’re like brothers to me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really appreciate them.鈥�

Alexandria鈥檚 Career Path Led to Trade School

Alexandria was a good student at Wilmington Area High School in New Wilmington, PA. With a GPA of 3.7, and a variety of extracurriculars that included FFA, basketball, marching and concert bands, track, concert choir, and golf, she had already built a resume that would have gotten her accepted to any number of good colleges. College golf coaches even contacted her about potential scholarship offers. But from the start, Alexandria knew college life wasn鈥檛 for her.

鈥淚鈥檓 not going to lie. I did not want to go,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was bored in high school. If we weren鈥檛 doing a lab or something, I just didn鈥檛 want to be there. I鈥檇 rather work with my hands.鈥�

She thought her lack of interest in school would lead to fewer opportunities in life. 鈥淚 honestly didn’t think I was going to have a great future. I thought that I going to live in a little house and never actually experience the world, or stuck working behind a desk or something.鈥� It didn鈥檛 take long for Alexandria to realize a career in the trades is a good future for her. She鈥檇 had an internship at Keystone Compliance the summer before, and while there, Alexandria developed an interest in heating and refrigeration. She decided to try NCST鈥檚 Refrigeration and A/C Technology program.

Building Confidence and Heating and Air Skills

Once she got started, Alexandria quickly started building confidence, and she was off to the races. She even says she took offense to people who doubt her.

鈥淚 heard people say, 鈥業F you graduate,鈥� not 鈥榃HEN you graduate.鈥� I know I鈥檓 smart. I was like, 鈥楾here鈥檚 no reason I鈥檓 not going to graduate.鈥� I really like it here, and I like what I鈥檓 going into.鈥�

Alexandria graduated from the Refrigeration and A/C Technology program in December, and had a job waiting for her at Weiser鈥檚 Heating Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, a company located in West Middlesex, Pa. When she was speaking with their reps, she didn鈥檛 even realize she was in a job interview.

鈥淚 sat down with them, and I didn’t even know it was an interview. I thought it was just a talk with him. After a few minutes they said they would really like me as one of their workers and I was a great fit for them. They offered me the job right then and there.鈥�

A Rewarding Career

鈥淗VAC is one of the best trades to get into,鈥� Alexandria said. 鈥淚 know a lot of people going into the trades want to do mechanic or electrical, but HVAC is such a good choice. There are so many HVAC companies out there, and they don’t have enough workers.鈥�

At NCST, Alexandria found peers who encouraged her, and instructors who inspired her to work hard and develop skills to begin a job.

鈥淚 came here and realized I had a lot of big opportunities to do something with my life,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 can make money. I can get this stuff that I always wanted. It was a big change in my reality.鈥�

Advice from a Trade School Graduate

Alexandria said NCST changed her perception on education and gave her the confidence to understand when she applies herself, she is capable of great things. When college isn鈥檛 a good fit, or even just for hands-on people unsure of what they want to do with their lives, Alexandria said trade school is a good option.

鈥淭rade school in general is one of the best things you can do, and it鈥檚 one of the most needed things,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are a lot of jobs out there for people coming out of college, but because there are too many people in that field, there is a lot of competition. But come to trade school and you鈥檒l never be out of the job. It is so needed.”

• Explore the program: Refrigeration and A/C Technology
• Visit the Campus: Schedule a Tour of Our New Castle Campus

The post Trade School Stories: Alexandria Settle appeared first on 91快活林.

The 91快活林 Career Fair was a smash hit, drawing over 500 job seekers, students, graduates, and their families to the school鈥檚 main campus for its 10th annual celebration.

More than 100 area employers, recruiters, and local business leaders were in attendance on March 19, giving job seekers the opportunity to speak directly to employers who have openings and opportunities for skilled workers across the region.

WATCH: NCST School Director Dennis Corrado Discusses the Career Fair During an Appearance on WFMJ 21

The free public event ran from 10 am to 3 pm at NCST鈥檚 facility at 4117 Pulaski Rd., in New Castle, PA., serving communities from Youngstown, Ohio to North Pittsburgh.

Attendees networked directly with industry representatives, spoke with employers ready to hire immediately, gathered information about training opportunities in the skilled trades, and got to get a look at NCST鈥檚 New Castle campus.

Event Showcases Skilled Trades Jobs Pennsylvania Employers Need

Employers from across the region participated in the NCST Career Fair, representing industries desperately seeking electricians, truck drivers, HVAC service technicians, heavy equipment operators, and machinists.

The NCST Career Fair has become a cornerstone event that demonstrates the real-world value of hands-on training. Many companies conducted on-the-spot interviews and extended job offers to qualified candidates.

鈥淭he response was incredible,鈥� said NCST School Director Dennis Corrado. 鈥淭here are great companies all around the area looking for workers across the skilled trades. A lot of people got a first-hand look at the incredible opportunities available in the trades and helped them in their decisions toward a successful, well-paying future.鈥�

More than 200 High School Students Attended

More than 200 high school students also attended to discuss opportunities in the trades as a future career path.

The trades are becoming increasingly popular with recent high school graduates, something Dennis Corrado said continues to make a future in the trades a bright one.

鈥淐oming out of COVID, people started realizing it is okay to do something different, so they鈥檙e not sitting in the basement paying 50 grand a year doing homework. In the trades, within 12 to 15 months you can be starting a new career.鈥�

Building Careers Through Real Connections

The event highlighted the effectiveness of trade school job placement programs, with many NCST graduates securing positions with regional employers. The hands-on learning environment, knowledgeable instructors, and modern equipment that have established NCST as a community institution were on display throughout the day.

Founded in 1945, NCST has served the New Castle, Pennsylvania community for more than 75 years, offering programs in areas including:

• Automotive Technology
• Diesel and Heavy Equipment Repair
• Motorcycle and Power Equipment Technology
• Building Technology
• Industrial Electro-Mechanical Technology
• Welding
• Truck driving

Among the oldest and most respected trade schools in Pennsylvania, NCST continues to build careers through authentic, hands-on training that prepares students for real-world success.

Employers who attended include regional leaders such as Vogel Holding, Inc, Ellwood Group, Flynn鈥檚 Tire and Service, Preston Automotive, #1 Cochran, Tenaris Steel, Siemens Energy, P I & I Motor periodExpress, Inc, Konecranes, CCL Container, Local 33 Sheetmetal, and many others.

Taking the First Step Toward Building a Future

The success of the 10th annual career fair shows that skilled trades offer stable, rewarding career paths. NCST can help you build the skills to find career success in the trades.

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It seems like welding was always in Sebastian Lewis鈥檚 future. After first discovering it in his high school鈥檚 Vo-Tech program, he knew there was something special about fusing metals together.

鈥淚 wanted to do welding since I was 15, 16,鈥� he said. 鈥淚’d weld for my friends. I’d weld some of my friends’ garages and stuff like that. Fix their lawnmowers. It was always simple stuff, but this was always a trade I wanted to do.鈥� It didn鈥檛 take him long to realize that welding would be an important part of his life for years to come.

Watch: Sebastian Discusses How Welding School Helped Him Secure a Future

Looking for a welding school, Sebastian learned about NCST. He knew NCST was a trade school near him and thought it could be the educational experience he needed. He visited the campus and quickly enrolled in the Combination Welding program. He quickly learned he had structure he needed and freedom to be creative.

鈥淭he teachers are hands on, but they’re not standing over my shoulder and making sure I’m really paying attention to that history lesson,鈥� Sebastian said. 鈥淚n trade school they give you this piece of metal and let you build it for yourself. Bring it to us when you’re done, and we’ll give you pointers, then you go back and fix it yourself.鈥�

Sebastian found a career path he was interested in and a field he felt comfortable with, more than that he took something he loved doing and made it a job.

鈥淲elding’s an art. It takes a lot of heart, and there are a lot of things you can do with it. There’s a lot that goes into it. You have to be able to steady yourself properly and form a pattern. It’s complex, and you just work toward mastering it.鈥�

And with that freedom comes new perspectives. The teacher is the classroom and shop leader, but ideas come from all directions. Everyone contributes to make sure everyone else is succeeding.

鈥淎nybody here can teach you something. It鈥檚 not just the teacher who’s teaching,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 can go to the 30-year-old veteran in our class, and he knows things from his time in Iraq when he was welding a Humvee. The people who don’t know how to weld are showing up, and they find a new technique they share with everyone.鈥�

Lost in High School, Finding Opportunity in Trade School

Like many others in high school, Sebastian kind of slipped by, advancing with mediocre grades and a lot of what he called apathetic teachers. He wasn鈥檛 passionate about anything he did. But while the high school experience wasn鈥檛 all it鈥檚 cracked up to be, he did learn something that changed the way he looked at the world and life.

鈥淗igh school made me realize that education isn’t just in my hands. It’s also in the teacher’s hands,鈥� Sebastian said. 鈥淪ome teachers care; some don’t. If you don’t enjoy being in school, that鈥檚 not going help you enjoy it. I just kind of cruised through it. I just wanted to get done with it.鈥�

He also had a limited support structure in place at school. He didn鈥檛 fit into the usual cliques. His friends also largely struggled. Some had issues even going to school. But Sebastian was already looking at trade school for his future plans.

Supportive Learning Environment

At NCST, Sebastian found a community where teachers are supportive and helpful, and classmates are future colleagues.

鈥淭here’s always something you can learn from anybody in the trades. I can go to auto tech. I can go to construction. Any of those kids will be able to share any of their knowledge, just like the teachers,鈥� he said.

鈥淢y teachers at NCST, when they look at your welds, their input that makes you want to keep doing what you’re doing. It makes you want to improve.鈥�

Sebastian has landed a job welding dumpsters, and said he鈥檚 having fun learning his trade on the job. But he has an eye on a future, where he鈥檚 able to work in different jobs, on different projects, using different types of welding.

鈥淚 want to try something structural related. Maybe structural MIG welding or structural flux welding. Something that really makes an impact on the world,鈥� he said. 鈥淔orge welding. Forging is so cool.鈥�

Finding a Secure Career in Welding

And aside from a passion, Sebastian looks at welding as a career he can keep for the long haul. 鈥淚 have helped not only secure me a job for my future, for right now, but for the next 20 years, for the next 40 years, welding can be my career. Every bridge you drive over has a weld on it. The buildings you stand in are welded together. The cars you drive are put together with welds.鈥� And Sebastian has a lot of options for welding careers. He can work as a fabricator, pipe welder, or underwater welder, all tracks that emphasize different skills, and contributing in real ways to making society better.And Sebastian said his trade school experience made those options possible.

鈥淚f I had the chance to tell somebody to come to NCST, I would tell them to not miss an opportunity,鈥� he said. 鈥淒o something for yourself that you know you’re going to love and appreciate. You’ll be paying a lot more at college than you would here.鈥�

Resources:

• Blog: 7 Reasons Why You Should Become a Welder
• Explore the Combination Welding Program
• Visit the School: Schedule a Tour of Our New Castle Campus

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NCST celebrates the life, legacy, and contributions of Lou Holtz, the legendary football coach and television personality whose advocacy for young adult education has had a long-lasting impact on the East Liverpool community he grew up in. Coach Holtz passed away March 4, 2026.

Best known for coaching the University of Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996, Coach Holtz led the team to a National College Football Championship in 1988.

Coach Holtz was a friend to 91快活林, especially the East Liverpool Campus. East Liverpool NCST students and graduates will recognize the , located across the street from NCST鈥檚 East Liverpool campus.

In , NCST鈥檚 East Liverpool campus became a partner to the Holtz Hall of Fame鈥檚 Life Improvement Scholarship program, providing a matching scholarship annually to qualified students who received the Holtz Award and planned to attend NCST.

Coach Holtz also established , a nonprofit organization that performs charitable works, supports former student athletes facing hardship, provides scholarship aid to individuals, and serves communities in need.

Humble Beginnings Lead to Success

A 1954 graduate of East Liverpool High School, Coach Holtz attended Kent State University, where as a walk on he played linebacker for two seasons. He was also a veteran of the US Army Reserves, receiving a commission as a field artillery officer.

Coach Holtz loved the East Liverpool community. In an article published on March 4, 2026 in the Morning Journal Newspaper, Assistant Sports Editor Michael Burch wrote 鈥淪ince his days as a youngster in Follansbee, West Virginia, and later East Liverpool, Holtz was keenly aware of his humble beginnings and hung onto that for the rest of his life.

Holtz called growing up in East Liverpool a “blessing.鈥�

A Legendary Coach, an Iconic Community Figure

Coach Holtz is still celebrated in college football, especially in South Bend, where his contributions to the Notre Dame program helped restore it as one of the most celebrated programs in college football. Notre Dame was struggling in the years before his arrival and within two years was an annual title contender.

In addition to the 1988 National Championship team, Coach Holtz鈥檚 squads finished Number 2 in the nation in 1989 and 1993.

He also coached college teams at William & Mary, North Carolina State University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of South Carolina, and coached the NFL鈥檚 New York Jets in 1976. He鈥檚 the only head coach to lead six different programs to bowl games, according to ESPN.

Coach Holtz also was well-known as an on-camera football analyst for CBS Sports and ESPN. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2020 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

NCST honors and thanks Coach Holtz for his contributions to our students and the East Liverpool community, and extends condolences and best wishes to his family, friends, former players, and fans who loved him.

ESPN celebrated Coach Holtz鈥檚 legacy and accomplishments in a career retrospective video:

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The decision to go to trade school rested on one fact for Emily Stelter.聽鈥淚 wanted a skill I can use all the time. It’s job security when there’s always a job to be done. I just never wanted to feel like I wouldn’t have a job.鈥�

And the graduate of NCST鈥檚 Refrigeration and A/C Technology program got the skills and the job, finding employment even before she finished the program.She even thinks she could have gotten the job sooner had she tried.

Employers in the Trades Want to Hire Young Professionals

鈥淧eople are very willing to hire young, ambitious professionals,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen they see your motivation, your drive, they鈥檒l hire you right away. They want somebody who has the energy to work hard.”

As a younger student right out of high school, Emily felt like she had an advantage in finding a job. Where older workers tend to get set in their ways, younger trade school graduates often are more energetic, trainable, and eager to begin.

鈥淓mployers want to hire younger workers, especially because they can still train you,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s easier to adjust to the company. You’re more motivated to get things done, stronger and faster. They’re really looking for that.鈥�

鈥淗igh school was just something I had to conquer. Doing online school led me to feeling like there weren鈥檛 a lot of options for me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt like there were limits, like 鈥榦h, I can鈥檛 be great. I can only be good.鈥�

Finding a Path in Refrigeration and A/C Repair

Emily was determined to make her own way. And for her, trade school was the key. 鈥淚 was like, oh, so actually, I am going to school. I am going to have a career, and I am going to do things differently.鈥�

She knew as soon as she stepped foot inside 91快活林 she had found her home.

鈥淚 just loved the people I met with. My interviews, my tours. This school is so beautiful. It was awesome. The lab is what really sold me. I saw everything in there, and I was overwhelmed. I loved it.鈥�

So she enrolled and started training in the Refrigeration and A/C Technology program. As a self-proclaimed shy kid in high school, Emily felt empowered to do something shy kids rarely do: speak up.

鈥淥h, I’ve received a lot of help with everything,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nything I didn’t understand, eventually I did.”

She is proud to follow her family in the trades and has seen first-hand how they can help people create a lasting, rewarding career offering job security, personal fulfillment, and the ability to support your family.

鈥淓very man in my life that I hold near and dear does a trade. My stepfather’s a welder. My oldest and youngest brother do automotive. And they鈥檙e all awesome.鈥�

Women Work in the Trades

Emily added being a woman in the trades only creates opportunity to be a role model for other women to join her.

鈥淭he men around me have not only been supportive, but absolutely respectful at all times. They know women have beautiful, sharp minds,鈥� she said. 鈥淲omen can do well in any trade, whether it be HVAC or automotive or construction.鈥�

Given the demand for skilled trade workers, there鈥檚 plenty of room for women to come into a field like refrigeration and A/C repair, welding, or electrical technology and find success working there.

鈥淚f you’re a hands-on person, there鈥檚 a lot of work to be done. You don’t have to worry about ever losing interest or being bored, because you will not be,鈥� she said.

She said students who don鈥檛 fit the mold for 鈥渢raditional鈥� education have a place in trade school, where they can learn a skill that keeps them employed and gives them room to grow.

鈥淵our work is always going to keep your attention because there are always new things to learn. There are so many different things you can do,鈥� she said.

Emily graduates from NCST excited that she鈥檚 found her calling, that she started her career so quickly, and that she overcame four years of uncertainty about her future.

Her best advice, especially for students close to NCST鈥檚 New Castle, PA. and East Liverpool, OH. campuses, is to take a look at trade school.

鈥淚 definitely recommend NCST. If art and English literature and math aren’t your thing, you definitely can find something here that is.鈥�

Ready to start a new career? Our Refrigeration & A/C Technology program helps you gain the hands-on, career-ready skills you need to launch a future in the HVAC industry.

• Blog: Why choose a career in HVAC?
• Visit the Campus: Schedule a Tour of Our New Castle Campus

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Event Details

With more than 100 area employers and hundreds of attendees on hand, 91快活林 (NCST) will hold its 10^th annual Career Fair March 19 from 10 am to 3pm on the school鈥檚 main campus, located at .

The NCST Career Fair is a great resource for job seekers in the area, from Youngstown, Ohio to North Pittsburgh and communities in between. Dozens of employers from those areas will be on hand, as well as military recruiters and other local businesspeople and employers.

Who Should Attend

NCST expects more than 500 job seekers, students, graduates, and families and friends to attend. The event is free and open to the public. There they can network with industry reps, speak directly to employers looking to hire immediately, and get information on training opportunities in the skilled trades.

Among the oldest and most respected trade schools in Pennsylvania, NCST has served the New Castle, Pa. community for more than 75 years. Founded in 1945, NSCT offers programs in a variety of skilled trade positions, including automotive technology, motorcycle repair, construction and building technology, welding, truck driving, and more.

NCST鈥檚 hands-on learning environment, knowledgeable instructors, and modern equipment has helped it establish itself as a premier institution of on-the-job training in Pennsylvania.

NCST President Rex Spaulding called the job fair an annual tradition that continues the school鈥檚 legacy of bringing together employers and the skilled workers that can help elevate their businesses.

鈥�91快活林 has a long history of skilled trade training, and we鈥檝e been proud of the response we鈥檝e gotten from the Career Fair over the years,鈥� Spaulding said. 鈥淏ringing together employees and employers is a vital part of our mission to promote skilled trades work.鈥�

School Director Dennis Corrado added that the NCST鈥檚 standing in the community and reputation for training some of the region鈥檚 best and brightest skilled tradespeople makes it the perfect location to host the event.

Employers & Career Opportunities

鈥淭here are great companies all around the area looking for welders, electricians, truck drivers, auto technicians, heavy equipment operators, HVAC service techs, machinists, and professionals in construction, manufacturing, and production,鈥� Corrado said. 鈥淥ur students, and professionals from all over, love coming to the Career Fair. NCST is an ideal place to hold this event.鈥�

For more information on the Career Fair, including attending sponsors, visit the Career Fair page.

NCST can help you build the skills to find career success in the trades. Classes start soon!

Add the Event to Your Calendar:

2026 Career Fair

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