LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada held its first-ever Trades Day on Friday, July 24, connecting young people ages 16 to 24 with career opportunities in the skilled trades.
The event featured hands-on stations where students used tools and simulators and spoke directly with local employers about pay, training, and certification pathways. Goodwill staff were also on site, offering resume assistance and connecting students to programs that can lead to union jobs with benefits.
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‘Plant those seeds’
Shanice Stevens, Director of Community Engagement for Junior Achievement of Nevada, said the event is designed to help students understand what a career in the trades can look like — and how to pursue one.
“The end game is just so students can have an idea,” Stevens said. “A lot of students are not aware of what the trades look like. Now they can plan to go to a trade school in high school, plan to go after high school, and get into an industry that’s high paying. And a lot of organizations and industries are paying for them to go to school or complete the certification to move forward.”
Goodwill’s role
Michael Miller, a Training Academy Manager with Goodwill and an OSHA instructor, said Goodwill’s presence at the event extended beyond resume help.
“This isn’t just for the youth today — it’s really anybody in our community that’s looking for assistance with jobs,” Miller said. “We can help assist with training and funding as well.”
Miller said Goodwill operates Career Centers at three locations: the Junior Achievement facility, Boulevard Mall, and a Rainbow and Alta location.
Students weigh their options
Aydin Davis, a UNLV student who attended the event, said he came looking for information on welding, masonry, carpentry, and automotive programs — including a free Ford program offered at the event.
“A lot of people don’t really know what to do to get into a specific field,” Davis said. “This is really, really great to help people branch out into multiple areas.”
Davis said he left the event more confident in his goal of pursuing welding, citing union benefits as a factor.
“The union trade — they were telling us that they have great retirement plans,” Davis said. “And they have great health care for a lot of the unions here.”
Annual event planned
Junior Achievement plans to hold Trades Day once a year. Stevens said the organization will continue working with education and community partners to expand the event’s reach.
“There’s a need that we get in front of the youth as soon as possible,” Stevens said.
Students interested in future events can reach out directly to Junior Achievement of Nevada or through partner organizations including Goodwill, Workforce Connections, and Clark County School District.
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