This summer, high school students across Central Pennsylvania had the unique opportunity to explore careers in the skilled trades through the Heavy Metal Experience, a hands-on summer camp designed to introduce young people to real-world opportunities in construction, fabrication, and mechanical work. Two respected local contractors, HT Lyons and Liebold Inc., each hosted separate camps that gave students direct access to tools, mentors, and real jobsite experiences.
HT Lyons led a two-week camp focused on students from the Lehigh Valley region, providing immersive workshops, demonstrations, and field trips designed to open doors to careers in the trades. Meanwhile, Liebold Inc. hosted a one-week camp for students from the Schuylkill County area, offering an intensive introduction to the mechanical and sheet metal trades.
During the camps, students took a field trip to the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Central PA Training Center to explore sheet metal work as a career. At the training center, students toured the facility, learned about fabrication methods, and participated in hands-on activities such as bending, assembling, and inspecting sheet metal components.
Apprentices and instructors guided students through each station, sharing personal experiences and answering questions about the Local 19 apprenticeship program, an earn-while-you-learn model that offers a pathway to a stable, high-paying career without the burden of student debt.
Representatives from both HT Lyons and Liebold were present to support the students, emphasizing the growing demand for skilled tradespeople and the real-world career opportunities available in the industry. Their commitment to workforce development is evident not only in their participation in the camps but also in their ongoing investment in apprenticeship programs and local talent.
“The goal of the Heavy Metal Experience is to give students a spark,” said Gary Walter. “We want them to see that there’s an alternative to college that leads to a respected, well-paying career where you’re building something every day.”
As the construction industry continues to face a skilled labor shortage, programs like these serve as a vital tool for attracting and preparing the next generation. Thanks to the leadership of HT Lyons and Liebold, and the continued partnership with Sheet Metal Workers Local 19, the Heavy Metal Experience is forging more than metal. It’s forging futures.