Boban John
The Heavy Metal Summer Experience
“The growth of the mechanical construction industry relies on the next generation of workers,” said Angie Simon, President and co-founder of The Heavy Metal Summer Experience. “The program held camps at 36 locations across the United States and Canada and has achieved a 71% increase in participation with approximately 500 students enrolled in 2024. The program will have 54 locations and almost 900 students in the 2025 summer season.”
The Heavy Metal Summer Experience attracts students from all backgrounds and ethnicities, including 18.7% female students. It introduces students to all aspects of working in the trades, including hands-on learning and working with industrial materials. Students are provided with information on apprenticeship programs, trade specialties, local opportunities for further education, and information about careers in the industrial trades.
Trades Gain in Popularity
Careers in the trades are gaining popularity among young people. Between 2020 and 2023, enrollment in vocational and technical programs grew by about 19% overall, while undergraduate college enrollment dropped by 8% in the same period, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Focused commercial manufacturing and repair trade program enrollment grew by 11% between 2021 and 2023 according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Trade school programs are also faster and less expensive than alternatives, with students finishing programs within two years and quickly finding employment after graduation.
“A career in the trades is a terrific path to high job satisfaction, rapid career advancement, and great pay,” said Billy Marshall, Founder and Special Advisor at ServiceTrade. “The demand for these young skilled workers is extraordinarily high with an estimated current labor shortfall of 14 – 20% in the commercial fire and mechanical service markets. The Heavy Metal Summer Experience is the right solution at the right time, and we look forward to working alongside its founders to ensure its success.”
