Opening Doors to Opportunity: Goodhart Sons Hosts Educator Externship - Steel Fabrication & Installation | Goodhart Sons Inc.

Opening Doors to Opportunity: Goodhart Sons Hosts Educator Externship

Sep 2025

On September 12, Goodhart Sons welcomed 12 educators from across Lancaster County for an immersive educator externship facilitated by Lancaster STEM Alliance. The goal of the day was simple but powerful: to give teachers a first-hand look at careers in the steel fabrication and installation industry, and inspire them to share what they learned with their students.

The externship was designed around four key goals:

  • Expose educators to career opportunities in welding, fabrication, installation, project management, detailing, quality, and the industry as a whole.

  • Showcase Goodhart Sons’ facility, people, and culture so teachers could see what a modern fabrication shop looks like.

  • Equip educators with real-world insight they can take back to their classrooms, giving students a clearer picture of what it takes to succeed in the trades.

  • Inspire educators to become advocates for careers in the skilled trades and help students explore these pathways.

To bring those goals to life, the day featured three interactive rotations:

  • Guided shop tours where participants walked the floor, saw our equipment in action, and asked questions about the work we do.

  • Panel-style discussion with members of both our fabrication and installation teams, including a project managers, detailer, millwright, and welder, who shared their career journeys and offered advice for young people considering the trades.

  • Hands-on welding project, where educators had the chance to try their hand at welding and create their own pencil holders — a fun takeaway and conversation starter for their students.

One of the biggest highlights of the day was the way our employees brought the event to life. From leading tours to sitting on our panel to guiding teachers through their first weld, our team’s willingness to share their experiences was invaluable. Their personal stories — how they got started in the trades, what they love about their work, and the challenges they’ve overcome — helped educators see just how meaningful and rewarding these careers can be.

At Goodhart Sons, we believe that building the next generation of skilled workers starts with moments when passion, expertise, and education come together. Watching our employees inspire a room full of educators reminds us why we do what we do: to create opportunities, grow the trades, and ensure a strong future for manufacturing in our community.