Proposal would require schools to teach shop class – timesobserver.com

Apr 3, 2026
Rep. Marla Brown, R-Lawrence, is pictured with Rep. David Rowe, R-Snyder and chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, during a March hearing focused on workforce development in Pennsylvania’s trade industry.
With shortages of skilled trades workers looming in Pennsylvania, a proposal is being drafted that could require schools to require the state’s middle and high school students to take shop classes.
Rep. Marla Brown, R-Lawrence, is planning to introduce legislation that would require students in sixth through 12th grades to participate in shop class in an effort to expand hands-on learning and better prepare students for in-demand careers in the trades.
The proposal comes shortly after a March 18 House Republican Policy Committee hearing hosted by Rep. David H. Rowe, R-Snyder, and Brown to examine strategies to strengthen workforce development in the skilled trades across Pennsylvania. Testifiers included Anna Barensfeld, vice president, strategic initiatives, ELLWOOD; Joseph Hughes, director, government relations, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; Julie Michael Smith, coalition manager, Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition; Brendan Hathaway, junior/senior high school principal, Wilmington Area School District; Dr. Joe McCormick, superintendent, Shenango School District; and Leonard Rich, superintendent, Laurel School District, and director, Lawrence County Career and Technical Center.
amid growing concern about workforce shortages in the skilled trades and a renewed focus on practical education opportunities that connect students directly to career pathways.
“Requiring shop class is about giving students real opportunities to discover skills they may not otherwise be exposed to and putting them on a path toward meaningful, family-sustaining careers,” Brown said. “What we heard during our workforce development hearing made it clear increasing awareness of the trades and expanding hands-on learning are essential to closing workforce gaps and strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy.”
Brown said the effort builds on conversations and feedback gathered during a recent House Republican Policy Committee hearing she hosted in Lawrence County, which focused on strengthening workforce development in Pennsylvania’s trades. The hearing, titled “Built in Pennsylvania: Workforce Development in the Trades,” brought together educators, employers and labor leaders to discuss solutions to workforce gaps and ways to increase awareness of trade careers.
Participants highlighted the value of career and technical education programs while also identifying challenges in expanding access and student participation. Testifiers and lawmakers agreed greater exposure to hands-on learning at earlier grade levels could play a critical role in addressing those challenges.
Brown said schools, employers and labor organizations play a role in preparing the next generation of workers, and stronger collaboration between those groups will be key to long-term success.
In February, Democratic House Rep. Elizabeth Feidler, D-Philadelphia, circulated a co-sponsorship memorandum for legislation that will create a workforce development partnership between the building and construction trades, community college and career and technical centers like the Warren County Career Center to offer students additional pathways into the skilled trades and pre-apprenticeship programs.
“According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, the commonwealth is facing a shortage of more than 300,000 skilled trade workers by 2030. At the same time, young people are looking for options beyond 4-year colleges to find good jobs that will help them grow, contribute to their communities, build their lives and support families,” Feidler said.
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