Spark Kent

Communities across America have a problem.

As tradespeople are retiring and fewer youth are entering the trades, contractors and homeowners are facing a shortage of skills and experience. Now is the time for communities to mobilize to ensure the transfer of knowledge to the next generation.

Industrial arts programs in middle and high schools are rare these days. In years past young students were introduced to vocations where they could enter the workforce without a college degree. The option to explore a life in the trades is missing for many American youth.

SPARK Kent, hosted by Hudson Valley Preservation, in partnership with TradesUp, aims to spark passion in the hearts, minds, and hands of young people by providing hands-on experiences designed by tradespeople.

Participants at SPARK Kent will have the opportunity to try a variety of trades, including carpentry, plumbing, woodworking, electrical, masonry, HVAC, and more!