It was an important conversation because the future of this country quite literally depends on the skilled trades.

If you just look around, you’ll quickly realize the building blocks of modern life are the trades. Everything starts there.

Doctors, nurses, and medical professionals cannot deliver healthcare until skilled tradespeople build the hospitals and clinics where care happens. Manufacturers cannot produce heavy equipment, farming machinery, airplanes, or automobiles until electricians, welders, HVAC technicians, mechanics, and industrial workers build and maintain the facilities that power those industries.

There is no electricity.
No internet.
No transportation systems.
No clean water.
No infrastructure.
No homes, schools, or businesses.

Without the trades, we’d be living like nomads.

Yet for decades, we’ve undervalued these careers and unintentionally pushed an entire generation away from them. We told young people success only came through one path, while simultaneously overlooking the people who physically build and sustain our world every single day.

But that mindset is changing. And I believe we’re witnessing a major cultural shift.

Gen Z is recognizing something incredibly important: skilled trades are meaningful, essential, AI-resistant careers. They see that these professions offer purpose, stability, entrepreneurship opportunities, and real upward mobility…without requiring tens of thousands (if not more) of debt.

There’s a reason many are now calling Gen Z “The Tool Belt Generation.�

And frankly, I think they’re right.

As we move into a new era of innovation, the demand for skilled labor is only going to accelerate. America is entering one of the largest infrastructure and industrial expansion periods in modern history.

Just consider what’s ahead of us…

• Massive investments in manufacturing reshoring
• Expansion of energy infrastructure and electrification
• Growth of AI and data centers requiring enormous physical buildouts
• Aging infrastructure that must be rebuilt and modernized
• Continued housing shortages nationwide
• Transportation and logistics expansion
• Healthcare system growth to support an aging population

Every single one of these trends requires skilled tradespeople.

We know AI will transform nearly every industry, but I think it will make the trades even more valuable. While automation will likely replace some roles, the skilled trades will remain hands-on. They will still require adaptability, judgment, craftsmanship, critical thinking, and problem solving in dynamic environments.

It will be a long time (if ever) that AI will be able to walk into a home and troubleshoot a complex HVAC issue, especially with empathy and situational awareness. AI cannot completely replace the craftsmanship and precision required in welding, electrical work, or construction environments where conditions constantly change.

The future of the trades will absolutely include AI technology. But it will also require people who can build, repair, install, maintain, and innovate in the physical world.

That is why workforce education and trade schools matter so much.

Initiatives like Workforce Pell Grants represent an important step forward because they help expand access to short-term, high-quality training programs that prepare students for real careers in high-demand industries. We need education models that meet students where they are and align more directly with workforce needs.

At 17³Ô¹ÏÍø (MTI) and Delta Technical College (DTC), we see firsthand how career training can change lives. We see students discover confidence. We see parents create better futures for their families. We see graduates enter industries where their skills are respected, needed, and valued.

The trades are not a “backup plan.�
They are not “less than.�

They are essential.

And I believe the next generation understands that better than anyone.

The future of America will be built by skilled hands. And that future is already taking shape.

The post From the Desk of Brian Huff: Founder & CEO, 17³Ô¹ÏÍø appeared first on 17³Ô¹ÏÍø.

This year, MTI awarded $305,000 total in scholarships to 92 high school seniors across MTI’s four campus locations in Illinois and Missouri. Amounts varied from $2,000 to $10,000.

Unlike traditional scholarships, MTI’s scholarship program isn’t based on grades or test scores — it’s all about having a passion for the skilled trades and taking the initiative to create a brighter future for yourself.

MTI is proud to support and empower the next generation of skilled trades & healthcare professionals who will keep our communities and our country running and growing!

The post 2026 17³Ô¹ÏÍø High School Scholarship Winners appeared first on 17³Ô¹ÏÍø.

Friday, April 17th, 2026

Springfield, IL Campus – Welding Competition Highlights

• 68Ìýtotal participants

• 24 high schools represented: Capital Area Career Center, Monticello High School, Lincoln Technical Education Center, Pawnee High School, Eisenhower High School, Taylorville High School, Glenwood High School, Mt. Pulaski High School, Springfield High School, Riverton High School, Decatur Macarthur High School, Gillespie High School, Athens High School, North Mac High School, Rochester High School, Pittsfield High School, Jacksonville High School, New Berlin High School, Lutheran High School, Carlinville High School, Greenfield High School, Urbana High School, Lanphier High School, Clinton High School

• $42,500Ìýtotal awarded in MTI scholarships

Top 3

1. First Place: Ashton Bettinger of Monticello High School; awarded a $5,000 scholarship. Monticello High School will also receive a $1,000 donation from MTI.
2. Second Place: Carson Hailstone of Gillespie High School; awarded a $2,500 scholarship.
3. Third Place: Brayden Billington of Lincoln Technical Education Center; awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Top 10

1. Ashton Bettinger – Monticello High School
2. Carson Hailstone – Gillespie High School
3. Brayden Billington – Lincoln Technical Education Center
4. Braiden Vincenet – Capital Area Career Center
5. Trenton Marr – Capital Area Career Center
6. Ian Hunt – Capital Area Career Center
7. Dawson Lancaster – Gillespie High School
8. Jon Thomas – Capital Area Career Center
9. Michael Cumby – Capital Area Career Center
10. Colin Millett – Capital Area Career Center

Welding Competition – Moline, IL

Saturday, April 18th, 2026

Moline, IL Campus – Welding Competition Highlights

• 15Ìýtotal participants

• 7 high schools represented: Clinton High School, Davenport West High School, Moline High School, Pleasant Valley High School, United Township High School, Davenport North High School, West Branch High School

• $16,000Ìýtotal awarded in MTI scholarships

Top 3

1. First Place: Jorge Rosales of Moline High School; awarded a $5,000 scholarship. Moline High School will also receive a $1,000 donation from MTI.
2. Second Place: Lyrik Sterling of Moline High School; awarded a $2,500 scholarship.
3. Third Place: Giovani Hernandez of Moline High School; awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Top 10

1. Jorge Rosales – Moline High School
2. Lyrik Sterling – Moline High School
3. Giovani Hernandez – Moline High School
4. Jack Farley – Davenport West High School
5. Elijah Delacruz – Moline High School
6. Elijah Harwell – United Township High School
7. Peyele Telou – Moline High School
8. Tristan Richard – Davenport North High School
9. Riley Curtis – Davenport West High School
10. Jarimiah Wise – Sherrard High School

Welding Competition – East Peoria, IL

Friday, April 10th, 2026Ìý

East Peoria, IL Campus – Welding Competition Highlights

• 51Ìýtotal participants

• 16 high schools represented: East Peoria High School, Cuba High School, Pekin Community High School, Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School, Grundy Area Vocational Center, Champaign Central High School, Metamora Township high School, Tremont High School, Morton High School, Illini Bluffs High School, Coal City High School, Hall High School, Peoria Christian High School, Peoria Manual High School, Minooka Community High School, Dwight Township High School

• $34,000Ìýtotal awarded in MTI scholarships

Top 3

1. First Place: Barrett Read of East Peoria High School; awarded a $5,000 scholarship. East Peoria High School will also receive a $1,000 donation from MTI.
2. Second Place: Wyatt Koehn of Grundy Area Vocational Center; awarded a $2,500 scholarship.
3. Third Place: Santino Capodice of Grundy Area Vocational Center; awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Top 10

1. Barrett Read – East Peoria High School
2. Wyatt Koehn – Grundy Area Vocational Center
3. Santino Capodice – Grundy Area Vocational Center
4. John Kurland – Deer Creek- Mackinaw High School
5. Terry McMullen – East Peoria High School
6. Tyler Hedger – Illini Bluffs High School
7. Ben Kraus -Pekin Community High School
8. Brock Freeman – Pekin Community High School
9. Cameron Noffsinger – Morton High School
10. Ulyses Rocha – Grundy Area Vocational Center

Welding Competition – Missouri Region

Saturday, February 28th, 2026Ìý

Missouri Welding Competition Highlights

• 18Ìýtotal participants

• 8 high schools represented: Nevada Regional Technical Center, Scott Regional Technical Center, Franklin Technical Center, Verona High School, Dallas County Technical Center, Monett High School, Strafford High School, & Nixa High School

• $17,500Ìýtotal awarded in MTI scholarships

Top 3

1. First Place: Uriel VargasÌýof Nevada Regional Technical Center; awarded a $5,000 scholarship. Nevada Regional Technical Center will also receive a $1,000 donation from MTI.
2. Second Place: Weston Prough of Nevada Regional Technical Center; awarded a $2,500 scholarship.
3. Third Place: Cesar GonzalezÌýof Nevada Regional Technical Center; awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Top 10

1. Uriel Vargas – Nevada Regional Technical Center
2. Weston Prough – Nevada Regional Technical Center
3. Cesar Gonzalez – Franklin Technical Center
4. Alex Woods – Nevada Regional Technical Center
5. Garrett Johnson – Nevada Regional Technical Center
6. Mackenzie Lee – Nevada Regional Technical Center
7. Jacob Hinkle – Scott Regional Technical Center
8. Dayton Lange – Nevada Regional Technical Center
9. Eli Woods – Scott Regional Technical Center
10. Ivan Suchowski – Scott Regional Technical Center

Upcoming competitions

2027 dates to be announced.

Everyone who competes receives a $500 MTI scholarship.

Competition is open to all high school seniors. RSVP required. All welding experience levels welcome.

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