Building skilled futures for Akron's next generation of tradesmen
New Beginnings of Akron guides young men in grades 9–12 through life skills, mentorship, and hands-on skilled trade education, all leading to a real opportunity for summer employment.
Mission & Vision
New Beginnings of Akron is a mentoring and workforce development program for males in grades 9–12 living in marginalized communities. Participants complete a 16-week program building financial management, self-empowerment, conflict resolution, and the soft skills needed for a successful transition to the workforce, with an opportunity for summer employment in a skilled trade after completion.
To create a pipeline of qualified workers into the skilled trades by exposing young men to opportunities that provide economic stability through their transition to adulthood and beyond. Whether participants enter a trade or pursue higher education, they leave with skills that earn a livable wage.
The New Beginnings Program
An application-based program for motivated Akron high school students in grades 9–12, with no GPA requirement. Sessions run twice a week for 90 minutes at a library or community center reachable by public transit, so transportation is never a barrier.
Apply & Join a Cohort
Students apply and are selected into an 8-week fall module, continuing with 8 more weeks in spring.
Build Life Skills
Financial management, self-empowerment, and conflict resolution: the foundation for work and life.
Learn the Trades
Presentations, hands-on activities, and group discussion across four high-demand skilled trades.
Earn Summer Work
Successful graduates get the opportunity for paid summer employment with a partner company.
Four Trades. Thousands of Akron Jobs.
Every trade we teach is hiring in the Akron labor market today, and each is projected to grow at least 3% in Ohio by 2030.
Heavy Equipment Operator
$67,750 /yrAvg. salary, Akron
Pipe Fitter
$65,000 /yrAvg. salary, Akron
Sheet Metal Worker
$61,500 /yrAvg. salary, Akron
Construction Laborer
$53,440 /yrAvg. salary, Akron
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Construction & Extraction Occupations); U.S. Department of Labor, Long-term Occupational Projections.
The Gap We're Closing
Akron's young men face a harder path into stable work, and no other Akron workforce program serves students under 18. We reach them earlier, while they're still planning their future.
African American Ohioans face the highest unemployment of any group statewide, more than double the rate for White Ohioans (3.4%).
Young men in this bracket are Ohio's most unemployed demographic, a sign of how hard the transition from school to stable work can be.
Existing Akron trade-education programs don't serve minors. New Beginnings starts the pipeline in high school, before that gap opens.
By generating interest in the trades early, we help young men step into adulthood with a plan and a paycheck.
Get Involved
New Beginnings runs on the generosity of donors, the commitment of sponsors, and the strength of community partners. Here's how you can build with us.
Donate
Your gift funds curriculum materials, session space, meals, and transportation support for participants.
- One-time or recurring gifts
- 100% directed to programming
- In-kind donations welcome
Sponsor & Hire
Businesses and unions can sponsor a cohort or provide summer employment for program graduates.
- Sponsor an 8-week module
- Host a site visit or demo
- Hire graduates for the summer
Volunteer
Tradespeople and professionals: your time and experience are the heart of the curriculum.
- Mentor a participant
- Guest-instruct a session
- Lead a hands-on demo
Collaborate
Schools, libraries, and community organizations make the program run week to week.
- Host sessions at your space
- Refer students to the program
- Co-host community events
Let's Build Something
Whether you want to donate, sponsor a cohort, collaborate, or enroll a student, send us a message. We'll respond within two business days.