The Charlotte Skilled Trades Continuum
At a Glance
That vision drives SBTC’s 2026 strategy: a structured, multi-year workforce pipeline that begins in middle school and leads to apprenticeship enrollment and above-entry-level employment by age 18+.
- Begins workforce development earlier
- Integrates exposure, training, and placement
- Includes four developmental phases
- Builds stronger pathways into living-wage careers
Earlier Access. Stronger Outcomes.
Charlotte’s construction, skilled trades, and energy sectors face a growing workforce shortage at the same time that many youth lack structured pathways into living-wage careers. Traditional workforce models often engage students too late, after disengagement has already begun.
She Built This City (SBTC) believes the workforce pipeline must start earlier, reach deeper, and be built with long-term intention.
That vision drives SBTC’s 2026 strategy: the Charlotte Skilled Trades Continuum, a structured, multi-year workforce pipeline that begins in middle school and leads to apprenticeship enrollment and above-entry-level employment by age 18+.
Rather than treating exposure, training, and placement as separate programs, the Continuum integrates them into one developmental progression, creating earlier access, stronger preparation, and a more sustainable skilled trades workforce for Charlotte.
A Four-Phase Developmental Rotation
Students move through exploration, skill development, applied specialization, and pre-apprenticeship in one connected workforce pathway.
Exploration
Youth begin in SBTC’s Youth in the Trades curriculum through school-based clubs and summer intensives.
Focus Areas
- Tool literacy and jobsite safety
- Introductory carpentry
- Measurement and construction math foundations
- Small engine exposure
- Intro to energy efficiency
- Community builds with Sleep in Heavenly Peace
- Career speakers and employer site visits
Outcome
Students develop confidence, awareness of trades as viable careers, and foundational technical familiarity.
Skill Development
Students enter a structured trade rotation model.
Training Includes
- Carpentry and community bed builds
- Tool maintenance and small engine systems
- Introductory weatherization and energy efficiency training
- Critical Home Repair shadow days with SBTC crews
Industry Credentials
- OSHA 10
- CPR / First Aid
- Construction Math Essentials
Outcome
Students demonstrate measurable technical growth and jobsite readiness.
Applied Specialization
Students select a specialization track and complete real work-based experiences.
Tracks Include
- Carpentry & Framing
- Tool Maintenance & Equipment Systems
- Weatherization & Energy Efficiency
- Critical Home Repair Technician
All Students Complete
- Paid work-based learning
- Client-facing project experience
- Structured apprenticeship site visits and interviews
Outcome
Students graduate with credentials, documented hands-on hours, employer references, and direct apprenticeship pathways.
SBTC Pre-Apprenticeship
Graduates transition into SBTC’s full pre-apprenticeship program.
Program Components
- Advanced project-based training
- Critical Home Repair crew placement
- Employer interviews and placement support
- Direct entry into apprenticeship or skilled employment
Outcome
Placement into living-wage, AI-resilient construction and energy careers.
Annual Enrollment Targets
The Continuum is designed to serve youth at scale while building clear milestones toward specialization and pre-apprenticeship transition.
Middle school students per corridor annually
High school students per corridor annually
Total students per corridor each year
Total students across three corridors annually
Projected Advancement
- 60–75 students reach specialization stage annually
- 30–45 students transition into full pre-apprenticeship annually
