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Evolve Youth Trades Academy asks Harrisburg for property and funding help as program grows
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Summary
Trish Robinson, founder and CEO of Evolve Youth Trades Academy, told the Harrisburg City Council on Nov. 10 that her pre‑apprenticeship program — serving 56 in‑school students and nine adult learners — needs city property and financial support to expand and add HVAC training in 2026.
Trish Robinson, founder and CEO of Evolve Youth Trades Academy, told the Harrisburg City Council on Nov. 10 that her program has grown to 56 in‑school students and nine adult learners and needs a city partnership to expand. "We are a certified pre‑apprenticeship program" that currently teaches carpentry, plumbing and electrical and plans to add HVAC in early 2026, Robinson said. She described a donated house students are renovating and said the program hopes to complete that project in 2026 and to double enrollment in the in‑school program next year.
Robinson said the school district pays tuition for in‑school students and identified the per‑student cost as $1,800. Student Demir Maxwell, who described himself as an Evolve electrical student, told council that program participants receive hands‑on training and that the program submits successful students' records to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry for pre‑apprenticeship certification.
Council members praised the program and offered next steps. Councilman Jones commended Robinson for connecting students to union apprenticeships; Vice President Green noted earlier conversations about ARPA funds and said some of those funds remain available and invited Robinson to pursue city partnership. Councilwoman Davis suggested reaching out to the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority and offered to help identify buildings. Robinson said Evolve is "busting at the seams" in its current Midtown location under Steam Academy and asked the city to partner on property, land and funding so the program can expand and place students into apprenticeships.
Why it matters: Evolve's pitch ties workforce development, affordable housing (Robinson said the renovated house will become affordable housing) and youth employment to downtown redevelopment. Council members signaled willingness to follow up, and Vice President Green specifically noted that ARPA‑era funding conversations could be revisited to support apprenticeship and workforce programs.
Next steps: Councilmembers encouraged Robinson to share contact information and promised follow‑up; Vice President Green offered to provide her contact details and suggested staff look at available funding and property options.
