Building the Future: St. Dominic High School Opens New Trades Center
Hands-on learning empowers students to pursue meaningful, high-demand careers in the trades
St. Dominic High School in O’Fallon has officially opened its new Trades Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to prepare students for careers in the skilled trades. This innovative addition to campus offers hands-on instruction in carpentry, construction, electrical work, plumbing and pipefitting, and HVAC systems, equipping students with valuable skills and real-world experience before graduation.
The new center reflects a growing need in today’s economy for highly skilled workers across the trades. At St. Dominic, that need is being met through a Catholic lens that forms students who not only master technical skills but also understand the dignity of work and the importance of serving others through their vocation.
An Onramp to Career and Mission
The Trades Center provides students with an “onramp” to a variety of post-graduation opportunities, including apprenticeships, certification programs, and direct entry into the workforce. With access to professional-grade equipment and hands-on projects, students gain confidence and competence in an environment that emphasizes safety, craftsmanship, and problem-solving.
Beyond career preparation, the program encourages students to see their work as an expression of faith—an opportunity to build, repair, and contribute to the common good. Through this balance of skill and service, students discover how their talents can be used to strengthen both community and Church.
A Model of Catholic Innovation
The Trades Center stands as a model of how Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis are responding to the diverse gifts and aspirations of today’s students. While some graduates pursue college degrees, others are called to hands-on careers that sustain families and communities. St. Dominic’s new program ensures that every student, regardless of path, receives a faith-filled education rooted in excellence, opportunity, and purpose.
Investing in Students and the Community
The creation of the Trades Center was made possible through the generosity of donors and community partners who believe in the mission of Catholic education. Their investment supports not just a new facility, but a vision for how schools can prepare young people to meet the world’s needs with skill, integrity, and faith.
With the Trades Center now open, St. Dominic High School continues its long tradition of forming students who are ready to lead, serve, and make a difference in the classroom, in the workforce, and in the world.