Vanessa Tilford has spent the last 15 years helping to shape the lives of young people in Southern California. As the Career Coordinator for Bonita Unified School District in Los Angeles County, she considers the needs of students seeking a variety of post-secondary paths. In 2023, she founded SoCal Trades Tour to introduce students to … Continued
Tiffany McKnight wakes up every weekday at 3:30am to start her first of two full-time jobs. Her son, Octavian, credits his mom’s hard work for inspiring him to participate in the Harbor Freight Fellows Initiative, earn an HVAC certification and a full-time position as a HVAC technician with McLeod Health in Florence, South Carolina. On … Continued
“We are dreaming big. We are casting the net wide. We are thinking about high leverage points. Get ready for hard fun!” These were the words of Phalana Tiller, Vice President of Bendable Labs and director of the Harbor Freight Leadership Lab (HFLL), as she primed the group for a phase of expanded thinking before … Continued
This summer, 17 teenage students who live at Jordan Downs, one of the largest public housing communities in Los Angeles, completed a summer skilled trades program focused on carpentry, electrical, plumbing and welding. The goal of the program was to give the students hands-on experience and essential skills that can lead to future employment in … Continued
In July, nearly 60 past winners of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence met in Los Angeles for Let’s Build It. The annual event is designed to produce creative ideas that can dramatically improve skilled trades education in high schools and communities across the country. Let’s Build It offers prizewinners time … Continued
Students get paid while participating in unique program that helps prepare them for supply chain jobs of the future San Pedro, CA (July 12, 2024)—With sparks flying at a series of workstations, dozens of Harbor area teens demonstrated new skills in welding and construction thanks to their participation in an innovative skilled trades summer program … Continued
Twelve high school students in Florence, South Carolina graduated on June 21 from a new 120-hour apprenticeship program putting them to work on projects at McLeod Regional Medical Center. The students rotated through different skilled trades jobs over the course of the apprenticeship, including construction, HVAC, electrical and plumbing. The graduation ceremony was well attended, … Continued
On May 7, all 15 graduating seniors of the Industrial Technology program at Guernsey-Sunrise High School in Wyoming, were recognized at a SkillsUSA Signing Day event. Of this year’s graduating seniors: Five will go to Casper College to pursue training in welding, pharmacy, occupational therapy, x-ray technology, and nursing Four will enter the workforce in … Continued
More than 20 students are learning construction and welding skills on Saturdays as part of a new year-round program offered through the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor. The LA County students have limited opportunities to participate in hands-on classes and technical training. By meeting on Saturdays, students have access to learning … Continued
More than 60 young women in Kentucky and Southern Indiana competed in the second annual Future Women of Welding Competition in Louisville, Kentucky. David McCoy, a 2023 winner of the Harbor Freight Tool for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence®, organized the event. Held in January, the competition is for high school students and was attended … Continued