United With Labor
Skilled Trades for Students
On April 25, Youth Skilled Trades Education (YSE) Day will encourage ages 13 – 19 to explore careers in skilled trades.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Labor team is hosting a Youth Skilled Trades Education (YSE) Day on April 25, designed for ages 13 – 19 to explore skilled trades as a not just a job, but a life-long career.
By 2030, millions of skilled trade jobs will be available due to retirement and many skilled trades cannot be outsourced. With job security at home, someone who can build infrastructure also has the opportunity to apply those skills worldwide.
“Our next millionaires are electricians,” said Dr. LaShawn English, director of United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 1, during the recent Labor in Action panel. “Trade jobs will never be taken over by AI, so teaching kids that basketball or football is the only way out— it’s not.”
The 2026 YSE Day will have more trades equipment on-site than ever, featuring painters, electricians, welders, plumbers, HVAC technicians and cosmetologists. In between a light breakfast and lunch, students will engage in hands‑on activities to get a real feel for the skilled trades environment.
"Our next millionaires are electricians."
“The importance of exposing young people to skilled trades cannot be overstated,” said Alicia Dennis, director of Labor Relations at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “They represent the next generation of electricians, pipefitters, plumbers, painters, and utility workers— professions essential to the strength and sustainability of our communities.”
Partners supporting this year’s YSE Day include: American Postal Workers Union (APWU), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) DCM 1, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), Millwrights & Carpenters, Plumbers, United Auto Workers (UAW) and Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA).
WHY TRADES?
Many union members champion the importance of introducing young people to trades. Business Agent and Bricklayer at International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 2, Ryan Harmon, expressed that trade professions provide crucial financial security in tough times.
“The top is giving people thoughts and prayers but those don’t pay the bills and never have— the trades do,” said Ryan. “I’ve been 25 years in local trades; I know that people who get into trades can start to make their bills.”
"I know that people who get into trades can start to make their bills."
Not only do trades pay the bills, but there are additional benefits to being a union member. Labor advocate and former president of the Detroit-Metro AFL-CIO, Rick Blocker, spoke to union participation as key to securing a comfortable retirement.
“I’m living on a union pension and a lot of people in this room won’t have the benefit of a union pension,” said Rick. “Union members make more money than non-union members, but 94% of people in the private sector are not union members.
“We have to work hard for change.”
"Union members make more money than non-union members."
Want to register for YSE Day? Fill out this sign up form.
