An Ode to My Father & The Skilled Trades

I have more than merely an appreciation for the skilled trades; I am the product of a Father who was a skilled and accomplished Pipefitter; working for 45 years and never missing a day of work in his long and industrious career.

Most people do not know what a pipefitter even is.

"Pipefitters are highly skilled and certified tradespeople who work on jobs large and small all across North America. They install piping systems in projects ranging from residential to high-tech and extremely sensitive and sophisticated facilities. The work they do can involve high-pressure systems utilizing carbon and stainless steel and many complex alloys. Pipefitters work in power plants, pharmaceutical facilities, hospitals and many other commercial and industrial jobs. Their skills are essential to keeping our two nations running smoothly." United Association

Both of my parents came from difficult beginnings (e.g. poverty, broken homes, moving from school to school, etc.) and making a living and earning a livable wage was a necessity at an early age. Incurring debt for education and schooling was simply not an option for either of them.

Fortunately, my Dad, found pipefitting, where he could utilize his vast gifts; e.g. intelligence problem solving, critical thinking, creating with his hands (although a small man by stature, I never met a person with stronger hands; ever), and an incredible work ethic to make a good living and provide for his family.

Pipefitting for my Dad, was so much more than a job to him. He LOVED being a pipefitter and was incredibly proud of the jobs that he contributed to (As we drove around Southern California my Dad would constantly point out the hundreds of jobs that he worked on and explain the intricacies of each).

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As someone who has dedicated his professional life to help students reach their potential, we should all strive to help learners find a pathway that suits their talents and interests, and one that can earn a livable wage.

The Benefits of Working in the Skilled Trades

This last weekend, we celebrated Labor Day, which commemorates the economic achievements of American workers; like my Dad, who are responsible for America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. What's important for educators to note, is that the future of our economy continues to need classroom to career pathways that have the skilled trades as an emphasis. Why?

As we look at trends in our economy, now and in the future, “Fields like manufacturing, construction, energy, healthcare, information technology, and transportation logistics are not just crucial; they are foundational to our nation’s infrastructure and day-to-day operations. Yet, these industries often face a significant shortage of skilled workers.” The essential value of skilled trades in today’s economy

I recently posted "Why You Should Consider A Job In The Skilled Trades" by Jack Kelly who covers career growth, job market and workforce trends and Kelly gives many of the same reasons why my father went into the skilled trades for people to consider:

1. Potentially Lucrative & Rewarding Career Opportunities - high wages, attractive benefits, including pension plans , and opportunities for advancement.
2. AI is not a Threat - “With a lower barrier to entry than in the past and incredible demand for people to fill these roles, expertise in the trades is a Future-Proof career.”
3. A Faster Educational Track - that is less expensive compared to a four-year degree, quicker entry into the labor force
4. Autonomy & Flexibility - More flexible schedule and opportunities to be your own boss
5. Job Satisfaction - Skilled trade workers also report high job satisfaction and said they would choose the same career again (87%)

Career Exploration & Training by Transfr

Not long after I started working for Transfr , I was thrilled to see that there was a pipefitting career exploration simulation! It was sentimental for me to experience, and then have my son be immersed in this day in the life simulation. Getting to use a soap stone to measure where the pipe needed to be cut reminded me of how my Dad ALWAYS carried a soap stone and frequently drew diagrams or wrote measurements on the ground before making, measuring and or cutting something.

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Transfr's mission is to train the future of every industry and open up exciting new opportunities for talent across the globe and at home.

If you are an educator, counselor, work at a school, district, or higher ed institution, or if you work at a non-profit where training tomorrow's workforce is your goal, utilizing Transfr's hands-on simulations combined with traditional training, are a powerful combination to help learners along their pathway to prosperity and well-paying jobs that are the future of every industry.