HOLYOKE, Mass (WWLP) - The next generation of trade workers is being recognized across western Massachusetts and the country this week. Registration opens for Spring noncredit classes at HCC, offering personal enrichment and professional development opportunities "I have the rest of my life set up for me because of this school," said senior electrical student, Makellah Jenkins. The Girls in Trade event brought together technical high school programs from across Western Massachusetts. Programs from painting to mechanics to electrical, carpentry, and more. "We know that we need to have more representation among women in construction in Massachusetts and we are doing a lot of great work to get that done but there are many more opportunities and open doors," said the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development in the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Lauren Jones. Julianys Centeno, who just finished her apprenticeship training program, said she feels accomplished and successful when she is able to see something she built with her own hands. "Carpentry made me feel good to see something that I made and I'm like I did that. No one else can say they built this because I did," said Centeno. The event highlighted Massachusetts' Registered Apprenticeship Program, which connects students with companies and helps them start their careers, while also helping those companies pay for training. Not only are there benefits for businesses in the Registered Apprenticeship Program, including grants, but students we spoke to explain the incentives of going into trades work. "I'm working while going to high school. I'm not making any type of money but I am making good money. High school isn't for everybody. High school can be very overwhelming, it can be too much," said Jenkins, who works as an electrician for the Amherst Department of Public Works while she is in school. Girls in Trade and other organizations are being more intentional in creating opportunities for more women. "We need to make sure that we are encouraging and breaking down any stigmas and stereotypes so we see women on the work sites and doing just as much as a man might be doing on the work site as well," said Secretary Jones. The apprenticeship program is expanding to include emerging areas including health care, life sciences, and more. Local News Headlines Girls in Trade recognizes next generation of women in trades during National Apprenticeship Week Brush fire continues to burn in Blue Hills Reservation in Milton $1 million lottery ticket could buy me a boat, Berkshire County winner says In shift, new Healey bill aids commercial drivers WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.