"We want faculty and students to know each other well," he said. "The key thing here is to foster a physical environment that fosters community. The college experience is a unique opportunity to form lifelong friendships."
Tuition at Harmel Academy is $18,500 per year, which covers room and board. To apply, candidates must have their GED or High School Diploma, a car, and letters of recommendation. The students must also take a personality test, pass a criminal background check and drug test, and undergo an interview process. The school's accreditation process is in progress.
Black said he and Pohl came up with the idea for the school several years ago, upon noticing that some men were uninterested in a four-year college but still wanted to prepare for a career while in a Catholic environment.
"[Some] young men struggle with what to do when they had a strong mechanical interest. They don't want the enormous debt of college and they didn't feel called to spend that much time at something that didn't really have a direct relationship to their lives," he said.
"[These] men are more mechanically minded and it seemed like there really wasn't anything in the Church [for them]."
Across the U.S. the skilled trades industries are seeing a labor shortage, as the number of workers retiring far outstrips the numbers entering the field.
Black said many young adults are a good fit for the typical four-year university experience, but others are more naturally suited for skilled trades, working with their hands, and seeing the results of their labor. He noted that Christ himself was a carpenter.
"I think the trades give young men a unique ability to truly imitate Christ and that's pretty powerful stuff."
Black is enthusiastic about the opportunities Harmel Academy will provide for its students. He said the goal of the academy is not only to lead young men to a career, but to form their understanding of work and faith.
"The key thing we are looking at here is forming a fully integrated man who knows what he is about [and] knows how God built him."
This article was originally published on CNA Aug. 9, 2019.
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Perry West is a staff writer for Catholic News Agency. He graduated from Franciscan University with his bachelor's in English. Prior to his job at CNA, he worked in construction staffing and coffee.