GRIT Foundation brings hands-on trades camp to Canton students

The GRIT Foundation will host a one-day GRIT Camp in Canton, Ohio, on June 26 to give young students real exposure to HVAC and other skilled trades. The event is designed to address the industry’s labor shortage by showing students the work before they rule out careers in the trades. Why it matters: - The skilled trades face a growing worker shortage as experienced technicians retire faster than new workers enter the field. - Early exposure can help students understand what trades careers actually look like before they opt out. - The Canton camp aims to connect students with real tasks, mentors and shop environments in one day. What happened: - The GRIT Foundation is bringing GRIT Camp to Canton, Ohio, on June 26. - TruTech Tools and FastTrack Lab are co-hosting the event. - The one-day camp is built for young students and focuses on hands-on learning with experienced tradespeople. - Participants will rotate through trade stations covering HVAC and other skilled trades. The details: - Each station is structured around learning by doing. - Mentors guide students through the tasks but do not take over. - The camp is designed to leave students with a clear picture of what trades work looks like, not a certificate. - The GRIT Foundation was created by Bryan Orr, president of Kalos Services and founder of HVAC School, and Ruchir Shah, founder of SkillCat. - The organization is led by Executive Director Leilani Orr and Head of Training Ty Branaman. - Ty Branaman brings decades of HVAC experience into the curriculum. - The GRIT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that introduces young people to HVAC and skilled trades careers through hands-on, one-day camps. - The organization partners with contractors, educators and industry professionals to bring trade exposure to communities across the country. - More information is available on The GRIT Foundation website . Between the lines: - The camp is aimed at students before they reach the point of deciding on a career path. - The model reflects a broader workforce strategy: show students the trade early, then let real experience shape interest. - The sponsor-host partnership suggests the program relies on industry participation, not just classroom instruction. What’s next: - GRIT works with contractors, schools and industry partners to run camps in local communities. - Contractors can host a camp by opening their shop and mentoring students for a day. - Sponsors can fund materials and help cover student participation. - Local partners can bring a camp or workshop into an existing program. - The organization is positioned to expand similar events beyond Canton as partners join in.