answer is yes. There is a technical school as well as a branch of the state college here that kids can take courses in while still in high school and they took advantage of it. The middle one took welding and never looked back. He has been welding ever since.

This was the first year for her youngest son, who just turned 16. He took two college courses and got all the courses and testing for welding, though he can't get his certification until he is 18, he has everything to turn in to get it. He also apprentices with a master mechanic in his free time because he wants to learn how to work on his own vehicle when he gets one. They all have an understanding and abilities in many aspects of construction, just from going to work with their grandfather and helping out with age-appropriate jobs since they were knee-high.

The oldest racked up several certifications. The ones I can remember are welding, woodworking, HVAC, golf course design and maintenance, real estate (he is set for the licensing test soon), and is taking IT now. He has worked in all these fields as he took the courses. He is also certified to test the contents of barges for the government. He is 23 and still taking college courses as well as courses at the technical college in addition to working full time. The oldest and youngest are hyper, driven, and love to learn. We have to slow them down sometimes to keep them from getting burned out.

Our son's son is more into studies than technical things but he can and will help out. He has wanted to be a marine biologist since he was small. He can start taking college and/or technical courses next year. I am sure he will choose college courses.