EMPOWERING FUTURE TRADE EXPERTS
Cultivating Tomorrow’s Skilled Trade Leaders!
Our goal is to empower teens and young adults with the skills, confidence, relationships, and pathways to thrive as future skilled trade professionals. FSTP accomplishes this through training, mentorship, and exposure to real-world work opportunities.
// About us//
Building Brighter Futures Through Skilled Trades
FSTP offers teens and young adults training, mentorship, and real-world work opportunities in a variety of skilled trade professions. We seek to provide them with the technical competency and supporting professional soft skills to build careers and thrive as skilled trade professionals. Our programs feature:
- Training in a variety of skilled trades
- Mentorship from industry partners and professionals
- Strong community partnerships
- Continued career growth support
// Industries //
Empowering Youth Through Skilled Trade Services
Trade Skills Training
Hands-on programs teaching essential trade skills, equipping adolescents with the knowledge, practice, and confidence needed to start strong careers in skilled professions.
Mentorship Programs
Experienced mentors guide youth with career advice, skill development, and personal growth, ensuring they feel supported and prepared for future opportunities.
Career Pathways Guidance
We provide career counseling, exploration, and placement assistance to help adolescents discover their strengths and map rewarding futures in skilled trade industries.
Scholarships & Support
Offering financial aid, scholarships, and essential resources, we ensure every motivated adolescent can access education and training without barriers holding them back.
// Industries //
Building the Future Together
Construction
FSTP was founded by industry leaders…
FSTP was founded by industry leaders in the Construction and Facilities Maintenance fields. However, we are committed to increasing opportunities across a variety of essential skilled trade fields and will be adding new industries in the near future.
- Focus: Building and renovating residential and commercial facilities, structures, and infrastructure.
- Demand: High demand due to ongoing construction projects and infrastructure development.
- Common skilled trade positions include:
| Trade | Description | Typical Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | Installs, maintains, and repairs building power, lighting, and controls. | $45,300/yr. |
| Plumber / Pipefitter / Steamfitter | Assembles and repairs water, waste, and process piping; reads blueprints; pressure tests. | $47,150/yr. |
| Carpenter | Frames structures; installs doors, windows, cabinets, and finishes. | $43,620/yr. |
| Structural Iron & Steel Worker (Ironworker) | Erects/reinforces structural steel and rebar; rigging & bolting/welding | $47,910/yr. |
| Painter | Preps substrates; applies coatings; does touch-ups and punch-list work. | $35,160/yr. |
| Roofer | Installs and repairs roofs (asphalt, single-ply, metal); flashing and waterproofing. | $45,800/yr. |
| Pipelayer | Lays storm, sanitary, and water mains; trenching, bedding, and grade. | $39,700/yr. |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Fabricates/installs ductwork, flashings, and architectural sheet metal. | $45,400/yr. |
| General Laborer | General site support: demo, material handling, site prep, traffic control. | $34,200/yr. |
Facilities Maintenance
- Focus: Operating, maintaining, and repairing residential and commercial facilities, structures, and infrastructure.
- Demand: High demand and virtually recession proof due to constant demand and increasing need for technical acumen.
- Common skilled trade positions include:
| Trade | Description | Typical Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | Installs/maintains building wiring, panels, lighting, motors, and code-compliant repairs; often supports backup power/UPS. | $52,500/yr. |
| HVAC/R Mechanic & Installer | Installs/maintains building wiring, panels, lighting, motors, and code-compliant repairs; often supports backup power/UPS. | $52,000/yr. |
| Plumber / Pipefitter | Installs/repairs domestic water, drainage, steam, hydronic, and gas systems; reads plans, brazes/solders, sets fixtures. | $54,000/yr. |
| Stationary Engineer / Boiler Operator | Operates and maintains central plants (boilers, chillers, compressors); monitors gauges/controls; ensures safe, efficient output. | $55,000/yr. |
| Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator | Runs building or campus water/wastewater systems; tests water quality; adjusts chemical feed and process controls. | $50,500/yr. |
| Security & Fire Alarm Systems Technician | Installs/maintains fire alarm, access control, intrusion detection, and CCTV; programs/ tests life-safety systems. | $51,000/yr. |
| Locksmith | Installs/repairs locks, key systems, door hardware, and access devices; rekeys/master-keys; opens safes. | $46,000/yr. |
| Painter | Preps and finishes interior/exterior surfaces; selects/coats materials to spec; handles ladders/lifts safely. | $49,000/yr. |
| Elevator/ Escalator Installer & Repairer | Installs and services elevators/escalators; inspections, modernization, code compliance; requires strong electrical/mechanical skill. | $73,000/yr. |
| Building Automation/ Controls Technician | Installs/commissions building automation systems (BAS); programs and tunes HVAC controls, sensors, and networks. | $51,000/yr. |
| General Maintenance & Repair Worker | Performs routine building repairs (basic electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting), preventive maintenance, and work-order triage. | $45,000/yr. |
// Support Us//
Empowering Tomorrow’s Skilled Professionals
Want to support our mission? Our apprentices are in need of training, equipment, materials, and transportation assistance. Whether you are looking to make a one-time donation or to get involved as a program sponsor, FSTP welcomes all forms of financial and in-kind contributions
// Programs //
Discover Pathways Through Skilled Trade Programs
Skilled Trade Training
Skilled Trade Training
Career Guidance
Career Guidance
Youth Mentorship
Youth Mentorship
// Why Choose Us //
Building Futures Through Trust and Excellence
Expert-Led Training
Programs designed with industry professionals to ensure real-world skills and standards.
Mentorship That Matters
Experienced mentors guide, inspire, and support each student’s journey.
Career-Focused Approach
From training to job placement, we prepare youth for lasting success.
// FAQs //
Frequently Asked Questions
We currently provide pathways in multiple skilled trades including carpentry, electrical, HVAC, welding, plumbing, and construction. We are constantly adding industry partners and training capabilities and anticipate expanding into other critical skilled trades such as auto mechanics and manufacturing in the near future.
No prior experience is required. In fact, one of our primary goals is to introduce teens and young adults to career opportunities in skilled trades. Therefore, we welcome beginners and provide all the training, mentorship, and resources needed to succeed.
Students are matched with skilled trade professionals who provide one-on-one guidance, career advice, and personal development support.
// Founder //
William McAfee
- Sheet metal mechanics
- Pipefitters
- Machinists
- Electricians
- Carpentry/Painting
- Millwrights/Welders