Empowering students with skills, confidence, & opportunity

to succeed in trades, technology, & business.

Our Mission
Our Vision

Our Mission

Partner with local high schools and construction industry professionals to prepare future generations of Skilled tradespeople, revitalize high school Vocational and Career and Technical Education (CTE) through innovation, while rebranding the industry to all students and specifically those from under-resourced communities to improve awareness and access.

Our Vision

Help address the skilled labor shortage and other future workforce development needs of the construction industry by providing state and industry-recognized curricula and life skills training. This approach results in certifications and job placement in high-demand industry jobs projected for future growth.

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What Students will Learn

Our three program pillars prepare students with skills for both life and career success.

Life Skills Coaching

Build Emotional Intelligence, Interpersonal Communication & Personal Branding.

Workforce Development

Learn Core Plus Construction Technology, Industry Safety, Work-based Learning Skills, & AI

Entrepreneurship

Discover how to think like a leader, manage projects, and start your own venture.

Why STEP Exists

The skilled trades industry is facing a massive shortage, and too many students are unaware of the opportunities waiting for them. STEP was created to change that. We connect youth with the training, mentorship, and technology they need to step confidently into high-demand careers and build stronger communities.

Over

20%

Current skilled trades workers are over 55, and projections show the construction sector needs half a million new workers in the coming decade.

For decades, social and educational pressure has pushed students toward four-year college degrees, devaluing vocational education and training.

Federal grants for student loan programs, starting in the mid-1960s, made college more accessible to students, encouraging them to pursue white-collar work rather than trades.

Many young people hold outdated ideas of skilled trades careers, believing they are dirty, physically demanding, and low-paying.

Many high schools have reduced or eliminated vocational programs, limiting students’ exposure to trade skills and knowledge.

Step bridges students directly into trade-based careers by embedding SupportTrainingEducationPathways

Support

Mentorship, wrap-around coaching

Training

Core Plus curriculum, hands-on labs

Education

BIM software, safety training, entrepreneurship

Pathways

Work-based learning, certifications, job readiness

meet our team

Need a brief message here

Edmund Clark Jr.Co Founder

A husband and a father to twin boys who cherishes family time. As the son of a licensed contractor and small business owner, he spent his early years learning the value of work from his father on residential construction projects. He also encouraged him to pursue a corporate career following graduation from the University of Washington. As a result, he went on to spend the next two decades at Fortune 500 companies, holding positions in Sales, Marketing, Strategy, and People Leadership. As a serial entrepreneur, he has created and run businesses in the fine jewelry and skincare industries.

Joseph PhillipsCo Founder

He is a native of Spanaway, Washington. He is the founding Program Manager of the Young Entrepreneurs Project (Y.E.P.) and the Co-Founder of the Skilled Trades & Entrepreneurship Program (S.T.E.P.). With over 13 years of experience, including 5 years as a Washington State Certified Special Education Teacher, he is dedicated to helping students, particularly those facing challenges, gain hands-on experience in business and trades. Our programs have grown significantly with the support of various organizations. I am committed to empowering the next generation and rebranding the trades as a viable pathway to success. My motto has always been “Educate to Elevate”.