What Happens When You Give a Kid a Power Tool? Lessons from GRIT Camp
When a dozen middle and high school students walked into Healthy Home Energy & Consulting’s training center in upstate New York, they were greeted by the smell of sawdust, lines of workbenches, and a big sign that read “Welcome to GRIT Camp.”
GRIT Camps, put on by the GRIT Foundation, are an opportunity for young people to experience the skilled trades up close. They’re inspiring the next generation of tradespeople by showing students how cool—and lucrative—these careers can be.
At Energy Circle, we support the GRIT Foundation’s mission wholeheartedly. We were excited to join them at this particular Camp, hosted by our client, Healthy Home Energy & Consulting, whose state-of-the-art training center provided the perfect setting for a day of hands-on learning.
What Is GRIT Camp?
GRIT Camps are immersive, one-day workshops where students can experience the trades up close.
This isn’t a boring lecture where kids are rocking back in their chairs, checking their phones, and willing it to end. It’s a fun, hands-on experience where students get to explore real-world skills in HVAC, electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and more. They use real tools to complete a project, all while working alongside experienced professionals.
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
The day kicked off with a warm welcome from the GRIT Foundation’s head of training, Ty Branaman, whose enthusiasm and humor set the tone.
He paired students up with mentors from Healthy Home and other local contracting businesses who had volunteered their time to participate. Then, he handed out blueprints and materials for a hands-on building project.
The students dove right in, exploring the tools and techniques tradespeople use every day. They measured, sawed, wired, and even tried a little soldering and brazing.
As the day wrapped up, students proudly showed off their completed work. Some left talking about pursuing a career in HVAC, electrical, or carpentry. Others were set on a traditional college experience, but had developed a newfound respect for the trades.
GRIT Camps Help Solve the Skilled Labor Shortage
Energy Circle exists to help our clients grow their high performance contracting businesses, but our mission goes beyond marketing. It’s about supporting the people, companies, and organizations making buildings healthier, safer, and more efficient.
Right now, labor shortages in the trades are creating a huge barrier to meeting that mission.
GRIT Camps are helping to actively solve the labor shortage by inspiring the next generation of tradespeople. They’re showing young people how lucrative, science-oriented, and fulfilling a career in the trades can be, right when they’re starting to think about their futures.
“A lot of students who’d be perfect for this kind of work don’t realize how lucrative and fulfilling it can be. In Maine, for example, the starting wage for someone with just a year of heat pump installation experience is around $48 an hour. That’s not something most high schoolers are hearing about.”
- Peter Troast, Energy Circle Founder & CEO
GRIT Camps Are Good for Contractors, Too
Hosting a GRIT Camp isn’t just beneficial for the kids. It’s also a great opportunity for the contractors who host. It can:
- Earn good press coverage
- Build brand awareness
- Position you as a positive contributor to the community
Ahead of the big day, Energy Circle worked with the GRIT and Healthy Home teams to develop a PR and influencer outreach plan to get the word out and attract media attention for GRIT Camp.
Want to Host Your Own GRIT Camp?
If you’re interested in hosting your own GRIT Camp, visit the Grit Foundation’s website to learn more. Or, reach out to us. We would love to tell you more about our experience volunteering with GRIT Camp and what a hosting role might look like for your business.
There’s almost no financial commitment. The host is responsible for organizing the mentors, providing the space, and feeding the kids lunch. The GRIT Foundation handles everything else!