A rural DeWitt County school district is pouring over a million dollars into its facilities this summer, with a sharp focus on preparing students for booming careers in the trades. 

On Thursday’s WHOW Morning Show, Superintendent of DeLand-Weldon Schools, Dr. Michael Tresnak told Regional Radio the upgrades include ceiling repairs, fresh paint, and a major boost to their agriculture classroom.

According to Dr. Tresnak, the ag class in its first year has had a lot of interest and they are aiming to keep it growing.

Dr. Tresnak believes education needs a shift in how it prepares students for the next phase of life. While some students will go on to four year universities, he explains many other will not and education needs to introduce them to options available to them.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that construction and extraction occupations will see about 663,500 job openings annually through 2033, driven by growth and the need to replace retiring workers. However, many of these roles risk going unfilled due to a shrinking pool of skilled tradespeople—only two new workers enter the field for every five who retire—making it a prime opportunity for high school graduates to step in.

Trades like plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry require hands-on skills, adaptability, and problem-solving that AI and automation can’t easily replicate. A 2023 World Economic Forum report highlights that jobs demanding dexterity and real-world troubleshooting are among the last to be automated, ensuring long-term job security for students who pursue these careers.

Enrollment in vocational-focused community colleges jumped 16% from 2022 to 2023, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, reflecting a shift among young people toward trades over traditional four-year degrees. This trend, fueled by high college costs and a desire for quicker, debt-free paths to stable careers, signals a bright future for students trained in trades straight out of high school.