By Seth Skydel

Through partnerships with high schools, technical colleges, trade associations and industry organizations, JLG is helping students discover careers in the trades while giving current workers opportunities to advance their craft. The result is a growing community of homegrown welders, painters, assemblers, manufacturing and robotics engineers, maintenance professionals, service technicians and equipment operators.

“ In America today, there are more students who want hands-on technical education than there are classroom seats available,” said Andy Tacelosky, chief operating officer at JLG.“ We saw an opportunity, not just to hire talent but to help create it one student and one trainee at a time. These programs give people a pathway to build a career, earn a living and stay in their communities.”

School-to-Work

JLG’ s School-to-Work( S2W) program allows high school juniors and seniors local to its five manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania, to earn school credit while working paid roles in welding, assembly, painting, fabrication, warehouse support and more. Students receive real-world experience, mentorship and the chance to transition into full-time roles after graduation. S2W +— an advanced extension

Through a partnership with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology( TCAT), JLG is integrating technical education with real-world factory experience. At five manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania, the company’ s School-to-Work( S2W) program allows high school juniors and seniors to earn credit while working paid roles in welding, assembly, painting, fabrication and warehouse support of the program— places students in specialized roles such as maintenance, robotics, machining, engineering and testing for deeper technical exposure.

“ Our School-to-Work program gives young people a real opportunity to help us rebuild the future of the skilled trades,” Tacelosky said.“ These are students who want to work with their

22 l January-February 2026