WHO WE ARE
We are a volunteer group of individuals and companies inspired to connect young people by exposing them to career opportunities in the trades. We solicit individuals and companies to become involved and engaged in the education of young people in the trades.
The PTIS program was started by Ray Terry in August of 2018 and registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on July 16, 2021
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To introduce local students to careers in the trades, by hosting events at local schools and community centers that introduce them to various construction, automotive & manufacturing trades.
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To provide an opportunity for a hands-on experience in how to use tools from various trades with instruction provided by industry professionals.
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To connect students with local companies for career opportunities.
Our Mission Is...
PARTNERSHIPS
Put Tools In Schools events cannot happen without the support of the construction trades industry. You are the teachers and the instructors. We need you to participate by supplying the necessary tools, equipment, and most importantly, your time. It is time for us to make a difference and change the image of the trades to one of opportunity and success.
Meet Our Board
The majority of our board has experience in the industry and understand the urgent need for the Put Tools In Schools initiative, to promote a pathway for students in the trades.
Ray, Terry, a 54 year veteran of residential construction and owner/host of “About Your House Radio” for 34 years, realized that something had to be done about labor shortage in the construction industry. He realized that the industry had a perception problem to he began promoting an “awareness” campaign to showcase the many opportunities available in the industry. This awareness campaign, Put Tools In Schools, began in August of 2018. The “About Your House” radio show became the voice of this campaign. The show provides updated information on Trades Career Days and other important topics for Put Tools In Schools.
-January, 2019 : PTIS with two industry partners started after school program with a club at Eastway Middle School, once a month through the end of year. Focus was on Basic Carpentry. Built Bird houses and installed them on campus. Continued, fall of new school year building picnic tables.
January, Started outreach to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and Industry to start Trades
Career Days in High Schools.
April 3, Butler High School Media Center, Career Day with three partners
September 24, Butler High School, Trades Career Day, 6 Companies
November 19, East Mecklenburg High School, Trades Career Day, 5 Companies
2020 Endeavors:
March 3, East Mecklenburg High School, Trades Career Day, 10 Companies
March 10, Butler High School, Trades Career Day, 7 Companies
Shut Down Due To Pandemic
June 16, 2021 Official IRS Non Profit 501(c)3 established
Saturday April 5, Titan Solar Public Trades Career Day 16 Companies
April 22, East Mecklenburg High School, Trades Career Day, 7 Companies
Sept 22, Independence High School, Trades Career Day, 10 Companies
Sept 28, Garinger High School, Trades Career Day, 7 Companies
October 13, East Mecklenburg High School, 10 Companies
October 28, Butler High School, 10 Companies
November 2, Hopewell High School, Trades Career Day, 3 Companies
November 9, Queens Grant Charter High School, Trades Day, 7 Companies
November 16, Rocky River High School, Trades Day, 7 Companies
November 30, Mallard Creek High School, Trades Day, 5 Companies
December 9, Palisades High School, Trades Day, 5 CompaniesMarch 1, Northwest School of the Arts, Career Day, 8 Companies
April 19, Queens Grant Charter High School, Trades Day, 6 Companies
April 25, East Mecklenburg High School, Trades Day, 6 Companies
May 18, Rocky River High School, Career Day, 5 Companies
August 19, Compton’s Automotive, Public Trades Day, 5 Companies
October 4, Queens Grant Charter High School, Trades Day 6 Companies
October 24, Northwest School of the Arts, Career Day, 8 Companies
November 23, Piedmont High School Union County, Trades Day, 13 Companies
August 14, Formation Meeting 4001 Brewery, 4001 Yancy Dr. 28 people
September 7, Board Selection Meeting, Matthews Community Center, 18 people
September 28, First Official Board Meeting, USI Insurance Fairview Rd
Board Members and officers placed.
October 19, Board Meeting, USI Insurance
November 7, Board Meeting, USI Insurance
December 5, Board Meeting, USI InsuranceJanuary 24, Board Meeting, USI Insurance
February 15, Parkwood High School Union County, Career Day, 8 Companies
February 27, Board Meeting, USI Insurance
March 6 & 7, Northwest School of the Arts, Career Days, 6 Companies
March 14, Apprenticeship Academy Union County, Trades Day, 7 Companies
March 25, Board Meeting, Precision Plumbing
April 15, Website Development Meeting, Precision Plumbing
April 22, Board Meeting, Precision Plumbing
2024 Plans and Goals-
Continued website development connecting to Education, Industry and Community development.
-
Further development of an outreach program to raise awareness to skills available in the trades.
-
Expand Trades Career Days to surrounding counties by scheduling for the next school year.
-
Establish and connect with more partners in the construction industry.
-
Connect with other community organizations and non-profits that have similar goals.
-
Expand financial support through grants, sponsorships, monetary and equipment donations. Furnish the “Tool Box”, a learning lab, with equipment that provides students with exposure to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, welding, basic cooking, digital media & podcasting, tile installation and more.
-
Develop a mobility program with a 7’ x 14’ enclosed trailer upfitted with the necessary equipment to travel to different locations with smaller groups of students. The trailer can also be used by a sponsor to do presentations on Trades Career Days.
-
Recruit instructors for PTIS programs through About Your House Radio and the Put Tools In Schools website.
-
-
Continue to build a team of passionate and dedicated people to provide leadership and mentoring for the PTIS mission.
-
Continue and expand our awareness campaign.
-
Continue developing our marketing, website, and our collaboration initiatives with organizations and schools.
-
Continue improving the Tool Box as a learning center.
-
Grow the mobility program to include elementary schools, home school networks and communities.
-
Schedule Trades Career Day events at middle and high schools in NC Southwest District 6 counties.
-
Develop plans with Connect For Success for a S.H.E.D building Competition in 2026.
-
Ray, Terry, a 54 year veteran of residential construction and owner/host of “About Your House Radio” for 34 years, realized that something had to be done about labor shortage in the construction industry. He realized that the industry had a perception problem to he began promoting an “awareness” campaign to showcase the many opportunities available in the industry. This awareness campaign, Put Tools In Schools, began in August of 2018. The “About Your House” radio show became the voice of this campaign. The show provides updated information on Trades Career Days and other important topics for Put Tools In Schools.
-January, 2019 : PTIS with two industry partners started after school program with a club at Eastway Middle School, once a month through the end of year. Focus was on Basic Carpentry. Built Bird houses and installed them on campus. Continued, fall of new school year building picnic tables.
January, Started outreach to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and Industry to start Trades
Career Days in High Schools.
April 3, Butler High School Media Center, Career Day with three partners
September 24, Butler High School, Trades Career Day, 6 Companies
November 19, East Mecklenburg High School, Trades Career Day, 5 Companies
2020 Endeavors:
March 3, East Mecklenburg High School, Trades Career Day, 10 Companies
March 10, Butler High School, Trades Career Day, 7 Companies
Shut Down Due To Pandemic
June 16, 2021 Official IRS Non Profit 501(c)3 established
Saturday April 5, Titan Solar Public Trades Career Day 16 Companies
April 22, East Mecklenburg High School, Trades Career Day, 7 Companies
Sept 22, Independence High School, Trades Career Day, 10 Companies
Sept 28, Garinger High School, Trades Career Day, 7 Companies
October 13, East Mecklenburg High School, 10 Companies
October 28, Butler High School, 10 Companies
November 2, Hopewell High School, Trades Career Day, 3 Companies
November 9, Queens Grant Charter High School, Trades Day, 7 Companies
November 16, Rocky River High School, Trades Day, 7 Companies
November 30, Mallard Creek High School, Trades Day, 5 Companies
December 9, Palisades High School, Trades Day, 5 CompaniesMarch 1, Northwest School of the Arts, Career Day, 8 Companies
April 19, Queens Grant Charter High School, Trades Day, 6 Companies
April 25, East Mecklenburg High School, Trades Day, 6 Companies
May 18, Rocky River High School, Career Day, 5 Companies
August 19, Compton’s Automotive, Public Trades Day, 5 Companies
October 4, Queens Grant Charter High School, Trades Day 6 Companies
October 24, Northwest School of the Arts, Career Day, 8 Companies
November 23, Piedmont High School Union County, Trades Day, 13 Companies
August 14, Formation Meeting 4001 Brewery, 4001 Yancy Dr. 28 people
September 7, Board Selection Meeting, Matthews Community Center, 18 people
September 28, First Official Board Meeting, USI Insurance Fairview Rd
Board Members and officers placed.
October 19, Board Meeting, USI Insurance
November 7, Board Meeting, USI Insurance
December 5, Board Meeting, USI InsuranceJanuary 24, Board Meeting, USI Insurance
February 15, Parkwood High School Union County, Career Day, 8 Companies
February 27, Board Meeting, USI Insurance
March 6 & 7, Northwest School of the Arts, Career Days, 6 Companies
March 14, Apprenticeship Academy Union County, Trades Day, 7 Companies
March 25, Board Meeting, Precision Plumbing
April 15, Website Development Meeting, Precision Plumbing
April 22, Board Meeting, Precision Plumbing
2024 Plans and Goals-
Continued website development connecting to Education, Industry and Community development.
-
Further development of an outreach program to raise awareness to skills available in the trades.
-
Expand Trades Career Days to surrounding counties by scheduling for the next school year.
-
Establish and connect with more partners in the construction industry.
-
Connect with other community organizations and non-profits that have similar goals.
-
Expand financial support through grants, sponsorships, monetary and equipment donations. Furnish the “Tool Box”, a learning lab, with equipment that provides students with exposure to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, welding, basic cooking, digital media & podcasting, tile installation and more.
-
Develop a mobility program with a 7’ x 14’ enclosed trailer upfitted with the necessary equipment to travel to different locations with smaller groups of students. The trailer can also be used by a sponsor to do presentations on Trades Career Days.
-
Recruit instructors for PTIS programs through About Your House Radio and the Put Tools In Schools website.
-
-
Continue to build a team of passionate and dedicated people to provide leadership and mentoring for the PTIS mission.
-
Continue and expand our awareness campaign.
-
Continue developing our marketing, website, and our collaboration initiatives with organizations and schools.
-
Continue improving the Tool Box as a learning center.
-
Grow the mobility program to include elementary schools, home school networks and communities.
-
Schedule Trades Career Day events at middle and high schools in NC Southwest District 6 counties.
-
Develop plans with Connect For Success for a S.H.E.D building Competition in 2026.
-