Keith Lawrence is on the Dan Beard Council Board of Directors and is Head of the Skilled Trades Education Center Steering Team. After a 32-year career at Procter and Gamble, Lawrence started teaching at local high schools and got involved in the Scouts. His interest in skilled trades runs deep, since his father was a machinist at General Electric and started a machine trades school in Schenectady, New York back in the 60s. 

“I would run into people who had been Eagle Scouts, and find out that, back when they were 12-13 they went and earned a skilled trades merit badge that got them so excited they ended up going to a trade school,” Lawrence explains. “For example, Matt Plessinger recently graduated from high school and is now working for CAT Ohio, making $75,000 a year with great benefits”.

The last year has been given to fundraising the $2.5 million needed to make the idea a reality. “It couldn’t have happened without many, many local company businesses and individuals contributing money, equipment, manpower and people to come teach the trades to the students,” Lawrence says. “We’re expecting 500 or so students to be able to go through this facility beginning next year. 

Dan Beard hopes to raise still more money through contributions from residents and the Ohio business community to add staff and expand what the center will offer. “We also have summer camps and a skilled trades fair,” Lawrence says. “I can’t count how many companies show up because they get to meet students, expose them to exciting careers, and get the students’ names. This is all about building the future pipeline of great talent.”

May 22nd is the official groundbreaking with shovels in the dirt. The building’s grand opening—as well as first classes—are scheduled for November. Hands-on education, mentorship, and leadership development will be the hallmarks of this first of its kind initiative.