There’s more to the Williamson College of the Trades in Media than the important task of teaching a trade. It’s also fulfilling its founding mission to prepare qualified young men to be respected leaders and productive members of society.

“The core values of Williamson College of the Trades are faith, integrity, diligence, excellence and service,” said Michael J. Rounds P.E. president of the school, speaking in a video for the television series “World’s Greatest.” The school was featured on the program as the “world’s greatest trade school.” (See video above).

“We believe that by immersing these young men in those core values in everything they do…that will help not only teach them the skills that they need but become a successful person in many ways,” Rounds said.

Williamson College of the Trades was founded in 1888 by Philadelphia Quaker merchant and philanthropist Isaiah Vansant Williamson. Williamson opened a trade school after he saw a young man in the streets with no purpose or direction. Boys could attend his school free of charge to learn a trade, coupled with moral and religious training, to become respected members of society.

The boys are offered full scholarships in six different programs: masonry, carpentry, machine tool technology, paints and protective coatings, horticulture, landscape and turf management, and power plant technology. They graduate with an associate degree.

“It is a challenging environment. We tell them to embrace the challenge and focus on doing the best that they can in everything they do,” Rounds said.

The school’s high standards set their students apart, evident during career fairs. More than 175 companies from 14 states visit the school to hire its’ graduating seniors.

Service Week

Each year, May 13-16, Williamson students, faculty and staff, board of trustees and alumni, fan out into the community to help non-profits with different projects.

Work ranges from painting and landscaping to interacting with the elderly.  Local beneficiaries have included Tyler Arboretum, Media Theater, Colwyn Borough, Aston’s Lions Club and Friendship Circle Senior Center.

Last week, Fox News featured the school’s one-week summer program offered to inner-city middle school students  to get them interested in a trade after graduating high school.  This year’s students were learning carpentry skills by making furniture, but also developing a sense of self-esteem.’ You can view the Fox News feature here.

Due to the program’s success, a second week has been added for high school students.

To find out more, visit www.williamson.edu/.

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