Impact of National Careers in Trades Week Continues as Angie Simon Featured on CNN

Building off the momentum of the recent feature in The Wall Street Journal, the co-founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience talks to Michael Smerconish about the need for high schools to revitalize vocational education.

Angie Simon, co-founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, was interviewed on CNN’s Smerconish about the need for high schools to ramp up their vocational education offerings. Angie details the benefits of a trade career. She also outlines the need for school counselors to get the word out about this alternative to college and the student debt associated with it. 


May 13, 2025 Member Update

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