{"id":131711,"date":"2023-08-03T00:05:08","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T04:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/?p=131711"},"modified":"2023-08-02T21:19:05","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T01:19:05","slug":"catholic-trade-college-generates-interest-ahead-of-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/catholic-trade-college-generates-interest-ahead-of-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"Catholic trade school forges ahead despite obstacles"},"content":{"rendered":"

While working through state approval, the school offers workshops and expects to enroll students next fall<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A Catholic trade college<\/a> plans to enroll students starting in fall of 2024, but said it continues to train people interested in learning craftsmanship while it works through the regulatory process and other hurdles.<\/p>\n

The College of St. Joseph the Worker in Steubenville, Ohio is \u201cshifting the start date back so that we can finish the state approval process,\u201d Alex Renn, the school\u2019s communications director, told The College Fix<\/em> via email.<\/p>\n

Renn said the process \u201chas taken longer\u201d than anticipated, \u201cbut it has been a very constructive process and it’s clear to all of us that they are advocating for student protection which makes the process absolutely worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students will learn both theology and a trade – a skill that is needed not just nationwide but locally.<\/p>\n

\u201cHousing is slow, ironically, because we don’t have enough skilled tradesmen in this area,\u201d Renn said.<\/p>\n

The college expects to start off with at least 30 students but does expect to grow. However, it wants to stay under about 100 freshmen per year. According to Renn, this is \u201cto keep the school at a fairly manageable size.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur school will ultimately do a lot of training in what is currently the Steubenville Workshop,<\/a>\u201d the spokesman told The Fix<\/em>.<\/p>\n

MORE:<\/strong> Associated Press frets about young adults choosing work over school<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOver the next year, as we finish state approval, we plan to do a series of 2-3 week seminars using a similar model of shop time + classroom discussion,\u201d Renn said. \u201cWe are currently in the midst of our second timber framing + theology of work seminar, and it’s awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interested students or just people who want to learn more can take a \u201cquick course\u201d on a \u201cparticular trade\u201d through the workshop, Renn said.<\/p>\n

The college is named for St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers who worked as a tekton<\/a>, a skilled craftsman.<\/p>\n

A strong faith life will also be part of the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur students will have access to daily Mass, regular confession, and perpetual adoration at the local parish,\u201d the university previously stated on its website. \u201cThey won\u2019t simply interact with other students, they\u2019ll meet enthusiastic priests, model spouses, and troublesome kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

The combination of a liberal arts education with trade training is not new – there are at least two other similar institutions. Harmel Academy of the Trades in Grand Rapids, Michigan graduated<\/a> its first class in 2022.<\/p>\n

The school trains<\/a> men both in a trade and in Catholic theology.<\/p>\n

Kateri College of the Liberal Arts in New Mexico \u201cwill unite the strengths of a liberal arts education with a vocational trade in order to graduate men and women who know their mission in life,\u201d and will contribute to the church and community.<\/p>\n

It plans to start<\/a> enrolling students in fall of 2024.<\/p>\n

The Fix<\/em> contacted Desk Free Nation, which promotes the skilled trades, to ask for job statistics, but it did not respond to two emails sent in the past three weeks. Mike Rowe Works Foundation declined to comment, citing Rowe\u2019s schedule.<\/p>\n

A trade industry association said there is demand for skilled trades, particularly as construction workers continue to retire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith nearly 1 in 4 construction workers older than 55, retirements will continue to whittle away at the construction workforce, Associated Builders and Contractors economist Anirban Basu stated in a February 9 news release<\/a>. \u201cMany of these older construction workers are also the most productive, refining their skills over time,\u201d Basu stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe number of construction laborers, the most entry-level occupational title, has accounted for nearly 4 out of every 10 new construction workers since 2012,\u201d the economist noted. \u201cMeanwhile, the number of skilled workers has grown at a much slower pace or, in the case of certain occupations like carpenter, declined.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE:<\/strong> Trade school programs thrive amid overall college decline<\/a><\/p>\n

IMAGE: Steubenville Workshop<\/p>\n

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