“Start Earlier, Train Better”: Justin Knox Calls For A Southeast Youth Trades Push

2025-12-09 03:12:56

(MENAFN- GetNews) Justin Knox, Columbus, GeorgiaFourth-generation business leader urges schools and employers to open paid pathways in skilled work

Justin Knox, President of Knox Pest Control, is calling on schools, small businesses, and local governments to expand paid youth pathways into the skilled trades across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina.

“I got my first lessons at 12 with a mower and a termite hose,” said Knox.“Work gave me purpose. It taught me pride, safety, and how to serve people. Every kid who wants that chance should have a real on-ramp, not a maze.”

Why this matters now

The construction and skilled services sectors face a severe worker gap. Associated Builders and Contractors estimates the industry must attract about 439,000 net new workers in 2025 to meet demand. An industry survey from the Associated General Contractors reports 92 percent of firms are struggling to hire and that shortages are driving project delays.

Evidence shows early, structured training works. Career and technical education is linked with higher high-school graduation and stronger labor outcomes. Registered apprenticeship completion is associated with about 40 percent higher earnings.

The outlook for pest management is also rising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5 percent job growth for pest control workers from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 13,400 openings each year.

“We need builders, techs, and service pros for the next 30 years, not the next quarter,” Knox said.“If we wait until age 22 to start training, we are already behind.”

What Knox is advocating

Knox is encouraging a regional“Start Earlier, Train Better” approach built around simple steps that any community can take.

Paid starter roles for teensCreate safe, entry-level tasks with real standards. Grounds care, inventory, shop support, fleet prep, and basic QA can teach safety and accountability at 15 to 17 with proper supervision.

Adopt a local apprenticeshipPartner with state apprenticeship offices and industry groups to register programs that stack into credentials. Use wage steps, defined skills, and clear completion goals.

School partnerships that count Align shifts with CTE programs so classroom hours and shop hours stack, not collide. Evidence shows CTE concentrators graduate at higher rates and gain better wage outcomes.

Field-first mentoringPair every new entrant with a seasoned tech. Focus on safety protocols, customer communication, and route readiness. The goal is confidence, not speed.

“A teen can learn to greet a customer, tag a service panel, and document a job with care,” Knox said.“That is professional pride. It sticks for life.”

Practical tools for employers and schools

Knox recommends that partners start with three low-cost tools.

A one-page skill ladder with five rungs, from shop helper to field tech, and the pay step for each.
A safety checklist that covers PPE, ladders, crawlspaces, and chemical handling, signed by mentor and trainee each week.
A customer-care script that teaches how to enter a home, explain the task, confirm the fix, and document outcomes.

“We are not asking for perfection on day one,” Knox said.“We are asking for a clear first step, a safe second step, and a mentor who cares.”

A call to action for citizens and small businesses

You do not need a grant to help.

If you run a small shop, create one paid student role this semester.
If you teach, invite a local foreman or service manager to speak and offer shadow days.
If you are a parent, ask your teen what real work they want to try and help them draft a simple resume.

“Work builds confidence,” Knox said.“Give a young person a task that matters and a mentor who shows up. You will change more than their weekend. You will change their future.”

About Justin Knox

Justin Knox is a fourth-generation service leader and President of Knox Pest Control, based in Columbus, Georgia. He began working in the family business at age 12 and now oversees a regional team that serves homes and businesses across the Southeast. He believes in servant leadership, safe training, and paid pathways that honor both education and work.

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