Tackling the Labor Gap One Internship at a Time

The trades can be one of the most fulfilling careers for the right person but due to stereotypes and long-held beliefs about continuing education, these options are often left on the cutting room floor. This misunderstanding leads to a number of perfect candidates for construction never entering the field. To explore the reasons why, our host, Mike Merrill, sits down with Mike Brewer – CEO and founder of the Brewer Companies and Senior Advisor for Synergos.

Brewer explains why there is a hang-up about construction and the trades, what can be done to change the perspective of young adults and their parents and his specific approach that has led to a curriculum that creates plumbers in 4 months instead of 4 years.

Key Takeaways

1. The Trades are a great alternative to college. College used to almost guarantee a great job at graduation, today that just isn’t the case. There are plenty of jobs available in the trades and the best part is that during the learning process the intern is getting paid and is not racking up debt or putting a burden on their parents.
2. There needs to be clear communication and support for high schools.  Parents and students are in the mindset that college is the only option and the only way to combat that perspective is to educate the counselors, students and their parents about the benefits of a career in the trades, that there is a career path and it leads to a well funded successful life.
3. Training in the trades can be minimized if we all work together. Being able to quickly train and bring young skilled workers to the job site is the goal for all contractors today. It can be done and Mike is proof of that. With hands-on intense training, plumbers are regularly being trained in 4 months and are out in the field as effective workers earning full salary very quickly after graduation. This structure can be duplicated across the industry.