Construction company hiring high school graduates: We don't want kids to graduate with debt
Owner and COO of Harrison & Burrowes explains why his construction company is offering high school graduates up to $47 an hour.
America's youth can ditch the college degree and make nearly six figures without it.
A New York construction company is hiring high school graduates and offering full benefits — even for those who are without a college degree.
Graduates can be offered a full-time position, paying up to $47 an hour, after they complete a summer apprenticeship for the company.
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Harrison & Burrowes owner and COO Chris DiStefano spoke with "Fox & Friends" on Thursday morning about giving students without a college degree an opportunity to work full time.
The owner of an Albany, New York-based, construction company joined "Fox and Friends" on Thursday to discuss an offer to high school graduates. (Fox News)
"College isn’t for everybody — and with the rising cost of tuition, we can provide a great opportunity for those folks that the path to college might not be the best path for them," he said.
With a main office in Albany, New York, DiStefano said his company gives upcoming senior-year students the opportunity to work up to 200 hours and complete a summer apprenticeship.
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From there, students can be offered a full-time position pending graduation.
A New York construction company is offering high school students a nearly six-figure full-time job upon their graduation. (Fox News)
"When they come on, they can come on at 18 years old and make a steady wage and have a sustainable career going forward," he said.
Is DiStefano optimistic about having a strong workforce? He said it is a challenge today to find qualified people.
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"We’re taking it very seriously and doing all the things on our end to make a sustainable future," he said.
The construction company focuses on building, maintaining and repairing bridges at a competitive rate.
Chris DiStefano of Harrison and Burrowes discussed the opportunity his firm gives to high school graduates. (Fox News)
The decision for high school graduates to forgo college can be made for many reasons.
However, in many cases, having a college degree has been shown to pay off in the long run.
"College isn’t for everybody — and with the rising cost of tuition, we can provide a great opportunity."
The U.S. Census Bureau’s "Fun Facts: Back-to-School" report found that "education paid off" for adult workers in 2020, as annual salaries rose with each education level. American adults without a high school diploma and an education below ninth grade made nearly $32,000 per year, on average, while high school graduates and GED recipients made $39,000. College graduates with bachelor’s degrees made about $73,000.
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Fox News Digital’s Cortney Moore contributed to this report.
