September 10, 2025
The New Apprenticeship
TradesUp Adds SPARK to Childhood
By Clementina Verge
Photographs by Ian Abrams
Smiles mix with the rhythmic hum of tools as children in safety goggles focus intently—steadying their grip on drills, saws, and hammers. Nearby, seasoned tradespeople offer guidance and encouragement. This is SPARK, an inspired initiative from TradesUp, a Kent-based nonprofit reshaping the next generation of master craftspeople.
“We’re tradespeople whose love for hands-on work was sparked in childhood,” says Mason Lord, founder of TradesUp. “We remember the mentors who believed in us—who gave us the confidence to build something lasting with our own hands. That was our spark,” he reflects, referencing the inspiration behind the event names, and his career in building and remodeling with Hudson Valley Preservation. At just eight years old, following the loss of his father, Lord found solace and inspiration in carpentry, guided by a neighbor’s steady hand. The cobalt-blue stool they crafted endures—a poignant emblem of resilience, mentorship, and craftsmanship.
Those same values now live on through free SPARK events that pair children ages seven to thirteen with tradespeople, in a welcoming, skill-sharing environment. Arborists, electricians, woodworkers, and even farriers bring their trades to life for young learners, letting them tinker with tools and build small projects—no experience required.
On Saturday, October 25, the fourth annual SPARK Kent returns to the Eric Sloane Museum and Connecticut Antique Machinery Association, inviting families to enjoy a curated celebration of hands-on learning. “It honors people in different ways by honoring different learning styles,” notes Andrew Rowand, curator at the museum, explaining that event layouts reflect a thoughtful approach: Sensory-friendly areas allow children who are sensitive to noise or crowds to still fully engage.
This inclusive celebration of kinetic learning reflects a forward-thinking philosophy, embraced by educators for its impact on cognitive growth and emotional wellness. At its core, SPARK is about more than education; it’s about giving children the chance to create something real, build confidence, and explore what inspires them.
“How do you know if you’ll love something if you don’t try it?” Rowand adds.
In a culture that often prizes digital fluency over tactile skill, TradesUp awakens the transformative power of making something by hand, and the deep human connection it can foster.
With misperceptions of what careers in trades offer, many schools eliminating shop classes, and childhoods increasingly shaped by screens, TradesUp aims to bridge the widening gap between generations, knowledge, and meaningful work.
“If children leave SPARK inspired to pursue a trade, that’s fantastic,” says Lord. “But if they walk away with a lifelong hobby or simply the confidence to use their hands, we consider that a success, too.”
The results are telling. At a recent SPARK event in Litchfield County, some 400 attendees filled the grounds of the Sloane museum. Nearly half of the attendees were girls—reflecting a broader cultural shift in how the trades are being perceived. Twenty percent of the tradespeople onsite were women, helping debunk outdated stereotypes and create space for diverse perspectives in traditionally male-dominated fields.
As TradesUp’s presence expands—with an upcoming event on Martha’s Vineyard and national inquiries from schools and communities—the mission remains deeply personal, supported by donations and volunteers—www.tradesup.org
