Celebrating Record Growth and the Future of Skilled Trades
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, excitement filled the New Castle School of Trades (NCST) campus as we celebrated our most successful Scholarship Day award ceremony to date. This landmark event brought together over 400 students, family members, and industry leaders from across Pennsylvania and Ohio to recognize the hard work and dedication of our students.
This year’s celebration was a powerful testament to the growing support for the skilled trades. In a remarkable display of community commitment, 95 of our students were awarded trade school scholarships totaling an incredible $180,000. This figure represents significant growth from just five years ago, when 13 students received $6,500 in scholarships. This is a clear indicator of the community’s belief in the future of the trades.
The Boost That Gets Them to the Finish Line
Moved by the overwhelming support, NCST President Rex Spaulding noted the real these awards make in reducing trade school costs for students.
“I’m just overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, by the employers, and the commitment that they’ve made to the trades. These scholarships take them over the top, get them to the finish line, and put them on the path to starting their career in the skilled trades.”
This rapid expansion of our scholarship program mirrors our school’s overall growth. Campus enrollment has surged from around 325 students just a few years ago to 560 students today, as more individuals recognize the value of a hands-on education. Students are job-ready in 12 to 15 months, much quicker than a traditional college path. Many rely on a New Castle School of Trades scholarship to achieve this goal.
A Full-Circle Moment: Successful NCST Graduates Giving Back
The 2025 NCST Scholarship Day event featured many inspiring moments. Still, one of the most powerful was witnessing graduates return to provide scholarships to the next generation of skilled trade students on behalf of their employer.
“Coming back here as a student and then now as an employer getting to present a scholarship, it’s incredible. When you’re looking for your first employer, look for those core ideas that align similarly to yours.”
— Brandon Hare, NCST Graduate and Siemens Employee
Hare, an alumnus of Lawrence County’s Mohawk High School, returned to the campus as an industry leader, offering encouragement and real-world advice to current students. This story of giving back runs deep: for example, Hare’s boss at Siemens, Taryn, graduated from NCST in the late 1980s. He then completed a 20-year military career, and returned to the area specifically to recruit NCST talent, bringing the cycle full circle. This powerful ripple effect of alums investing in new students is the bedrock of our community.
Fueling the Future of Skilled Trades Through Collaboration and Growth
The success of the NCST Scholarship Day 2025 reflects the growing recognition that the region’s economic future depends on a skilled trades workforce. School Director Dennis Corrado highlighted the critical role of corporate partners and sponsors.
“This collaboration between industry and education exemplifies how we can collectively nurture the next generation of skilled tradespeople. These scholarships not only provide crucial financial assistance but also honor students for their consistent academic excellence.”
We sincerely appreciate the support from America’s Trades Foundation, corporate sponsors, civic organizations, and local individuals, whose generosity eases the overall tuition for trade school.
Congratulations to Our 2025 Scholarship Recipients!
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to every student recognized. Your hard work and commitment are the reasons we celebrate – watch the full recap of Scholarship Day.
Partner With Us: Support the Next Generation of Tradespeople
The success of our students and events like NCST Scholarship Day 2025 relies on strong industry partnerships. We invite companies seeking to hire talented, job-ready professionals or support our students through scholarships and equipment to connect with us today. Together, we can continue to build the skilled workforce that our region depends on.