Page 4 - TTWIBacktoSchool2025

Construction
Page 4 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

Setting Students Up for Success: Exploring Careers in Wisconsin’s Pipe Trades

Kaukauna, WI – In classrooms across Wis- unclogging toilets, when in reality the
consin, one question unites every high school most skilled professionals are working
teacher, “Are my students prepared for success on large-scale new construction projects
after graduation?” For some, that means a four- like schools, hospitals, and arenas that are
year university. But for others, it’s about finding essential to community infrastructure.
a career pathway that blends job security, strong
earning potential, and hands-on learning. Industry Perspective
The state’s labor market data makes a As educators consider how to connect stu-
compelling case for including the pipe trades: dents with real-world opportunities, the voice
plumbing, steamfitting, HVAC/R service and of industry leaders can underscore what’s at
pipe fabrication, front and center in those career stake. For Nick Johnsen, Director of Recruiting
discussions. According to the Wisconsin Depart- for Plumbers and Steamfitters UA Local 400,
ment of Workforce Development, these trades the message is clear: the pipe trades aren’t just
remain in high demand, with job growth pro- jobs—they’re essential roles that safeguard com-
jected at 6% between 2023 and 2032, outpacing munity health and keep vital systems running.
the national average. “The pipe trades offer stable, high-paying
For Wisconsin students, the financial careers that directly impact public health and
outlook is equally attractive. Journeymen in the safety. Partnering with schools allows us to
pipe trades routinely earn over $50 per hour, far show students how their skills can build a future
surpassing the state’s median wage of roughly they can be proud of.”
$32 per hour. And these are not jobs likely to be
displaced by artificial intelligence; while BMG – Nick Johnsen, UA400 Pipe Trades
Research reports that 50% of young adults worry A student readies their team’s Kick Off Your Future Skills Competition entry for judging during a Recruitment Coordinator
Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 400 event to promote interest in youth apprenticeships in the pipe
AI will limit their opportunities, skilled trades trades.
remain rooted in human judgment, adaptability, Five Ways to Help Students Explore the
and physical expertise. For many students, these opportunities are Overcoming Obstacles Pipe Trades
invisible unless an educator places them in view. 1. Invite Apprentices and Journeymen to

Why Teachers Should Promote the Pipe Barriers remain—often rooted in percep- Speak
Trades Who Makes a Good Candidate? tion and access: Partner with local labor unions to bring pro-
Teachers are not just conveyors of While technical aptitude helps, the stron- • Stigma: Trades are sometimes framed as fessionals into your classroom. Guest speakers
knowledge; they are gateways to possibility. gest candidates for the pipe trades often share “less than” college. Counter this by sharing can share firsthand experiences about training,
Introducing students to the pipe trades means traits already nurtured in classrooms: wage data, career progression charts, and daily work, and career advancement. These dis-
introducing them to a career that: • Problem-Solvers who can think critically stories of successful tradespeople. cussions can also introduce students to concepts
• Offers a debt-free “earn while you learn” when challenges arise. • Awareness: Many students simply beyond entry-level work—like pensions, ben-
apprenticeship model. • Team Players who work well in coordi- haven’t seen what the work looks like. efits, and collective bargaining.
Arrange field trips to local training centers,
• Pays well above the state median wage. nated crews. job shadows, or guest speakers from local 2. Embed Apprenticeship Pathways into
• Provides advancement opportunities into • Detail-Oriented Workers who understand unions. Point out how integral the trades Career Modules
supervision, project management, or busi- that safety and precision matter. are Use apprenticeship models as real-world
ness ownership. • Hands-On Learners who prefer active • Perception: Many young people assume case studies in your career-planning lessons.
• Supports local economies by filling critical engagement over desk-bound routines. plumbers spend most of their time Have students map out year-by-year milestones
infrastructure roles. The modern pipe trades also present leading to journeyworker status.
opportunities for students
who may have previously 3. Promote Youth Apprenticeships Actively
been overlooked, includ- Youth Apprenticeship programs let juniors
ing young women. In years and seniors earn wages while gaining trade expe-
past, misconceptions about rience. Some grant credits toward high school or
physical strength kept many apprenticeship coursework. Work closely with
from considering construc- guidance counselors to make these programs
tion-related careers. Today, visible and accessible.
those assumptions no longer 4. Participate in Skills Challenges
hold. With safe lifting rec- Give students opportunities to compete
ommendations in place from in team-based trade challenges hosted by local
OSHA and NIOSH, assistive unions. These events offer real-world feedback,
devices offered by respon- promote school pride, and let students showcase
sible mechanical contractors, their individual abilities beyond athletics and
and the industry’s wide- performing arts.
spread use of lighter-weight 5. Encourage Curriculum That Builds
materials like PVC pipe, the Transferable Skills
physical demands are more Reinforce the value of courses like welding,
about technique, safety, AUTOCAD, automotive, and woodworking,
and efficiency than brute which develop technical and problem-solving
strength. This opens the door Nick Johnsen, UA400 Pipe Trades Recruitment abilities and give students experience using tools
Bill Bishop, Pipe Fabrication Instructor with UA400, reviews a to a broader and more diverse Coordinator, supports a participant in WRTP | and following schematics. Stress the importance
school’s submission to the Kick Off Your Career Skills Com- workforce—one that reflects Big Step’s Northeast Wisconsin Summer Trades
petition, providing judging and professional feedback on cor- the communities these trades Academy as they prepare pipe with tape before of four years of math—especially algebra and
rect dimensions, weld quality and overall design/accuracy/ applying sealant and connecting it to a pipe fit- geometry—which are essential for success in
creativity. serve. ting at UA400’s Kaukauna training center. the pipe trades.