The HEIRS Mission

HEIRS - Hub for Engagement, Innovation, and Resource Synergy - is the skilled trades division of our education operations. Our mission has three actionable components:

1. introduce and promote skilled trade career options to high-school students

2. help them connect their academic learning to technical education fundamentals, and

3. provide them with direct pathways to mentorship, apprenticeship, and employment.

Though interest in skilled trades careers have surged, actual enrollment in trade schools and apprenticeships remain low, and attrition in those programs is relatively high. Our mission goals highlight how we aim to address these issues. According to the Bureau of Labor (2024), skilled tradespeople are retiring at a greater rate than young people are hired. This honorable work is of significant importance to our country, and given the added advantages of earning while learning and securing viable employment throughout their working years, this program seeks to usher high school students to these professions. ​

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Our Current Effort

HEIRS  are in the process of gathering insight from key stakeholders (employers, professionals, manufacturers, service providers, training institutions, and prospective apprentices). We shall engage these groups throughout New York City as we develop the skilled trades ecosystem we envision. If you belong to any of the stakeholder groups listed above and wish to help us accomplish our mission, we invite you to click on the link below and sign up for our monthly updates and for information on how you can play a role.