L-169 apprentices ignite students’ interest in Boilermakers

Who better to demonstrate an apprenticeship career path in the Boilermakers than Boilermaker apprentices themselves? That was the thought when Fraser High School’s Career & Technical Education program approached Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program National Coordinator Mark Wertz about giving students a look at the trade.

Wertz, who is a long-time member of Fraser’s CTE advising committee, called Local 169 (Detroit) right away. The local is a short drive from the high school, and L-169 business agent/instructor Jamie Ratliff agreed apprentices would be ideal to lead a buddy welding demonstration, show students their skills and answer questions.

So, on November 22, the end of National Apprenticeship Week, apprentices Amber Combs and Chris Calmeyn joined Ratliff and Wertz for three class sessions with CTE students. Wertz discussed the Boilermaker trade and BNAP program, then turned it over to Calmeyn and Combs.

“I can talk to them about trades and the opportunities, pensions and annuities all day, but bring in an apprentice or someone in a welding jacket saying ‘I make X amount of money, I’m secure, and I have a [union] family around me that helps me in challenges’… the kids want to hear it from someone who is living it, doing it and experiencing it,” said Brent Brasure, Fraser High School’s CTE director.

“When you get students and apprentices in the same room, the level of inspiration we see is on a whole other level. That’s where hope and inspiration lie—with those one-on-one human interactions.”

Brasure grew up in the area and noted it’s predominantly blue collar and trades oriented. The school system’s CTE program is robust and begins in kindergarten with career awareness; but even with that, some still have little understanding of what apprenticeship is or the lifestyle of working in the trades. He likes inviting the Boilermakers to his classes, because it’s one of the lesser-known trades and the new information piques interest.

Seeing apprentices demonstrate a skill the students have never seen—like buddy welding—is also key.

“We don’t get to do a lot of the exciting work in class—it’s more basic practice and training,” Brasure said. “So, to see something they haven’t done before and how collaboration and communication are so critical to getting a job done, buddy welding is the perfect microcosm for the communication needed on the job.

“The magic is in the sparks. You ignite them and see the response.”

Wertz said the students picked up the new buddy welding skills quickly and soon became competitive to see who could have the smoothest, quickest hand-offs.

Another important part of the experience: Brasure pointed to the Boilermakers’ modeling of “positive work ethic consistency,” noting that the Boilermaker entourage focused their energy on the students throughout their visit to the school, even talking to students about the Boilermakers and answering questions during lunch breaks.

“That’s a level of professionalism and dedication, and it dispels myths about the trades and unions,” Brasure said.

Brasure said proof of the apprentices’ positive impact is evident in a spike in interest in competing in Local 169’s spring high school welding competition. He wasn’t sure how they would accommodate everyone, but that’s a good problem to have.

Wertz estimates 50-60 students participated in the three sessions.

“It’s important that we get involved in welding programs all over the United States,” he said. “Students are more and more interested in what we do. They want a career and to make money after high school without expensive tuition fees. We need to get them interested and thinking about us. I tell them every trade is hiring now, and you can hit the ground running with a career.”

Read about L-169’s high school welding competition: here

The magic is in the sparks. You ignite them and see the response.