Students Dive into the World of Skilled Trades Careers
This summer, McKinstry’s Social Impact team and more than a dozen staff and union teammates from the Seattle Manufacturing Facility are hosting a new cohort of students for our third-annual Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) camp in partnership with Highline Public Schools. During the 5-week program, the students will gain hands-on experience, working alongside our skilled tradespeople, on projects that explore the basics of plumbing, service, pipe fitting, and sheet metal.
McKinstry’s HMSE camp is one of many held across the country through The Heavy Metal Summer Experience, a non-profit organization that partners with organizations to host and facilitate summer camps that spark student interest in the skilled trades. This year, 12 students, ranging from incoming juniors to graduated seniors from three of Highline’s high schools, are participating in the program.
“This program is about giving young people a real-world window into the trades, not just teaching them how to use tools but also showing them what’s possible for their future,” said Phil Marr, program manager. “It's free, it’s hands-on, and it’s led by passionate trades professionals who genuinely care about mentoring the next generation.”
Hands-on career exploration
This HSME cohort is part of Highline’s CORE PLUS Construction track, which gives students hands-on experience with tools, reading basic blueprints, and practicing residential construction skills like framing, plumbing, and electrical systems. HMSE allows students to continue to hone their skills over the summer and get a better understanding of their career options after graduation.
“For me, this program doesn't feel like I'm giving up my summer break,” said Jaden, a recently graduated senior. "I see it as something that’s crucial to my future as I’m starting my life and my career."
In the next 5-10 years, 41% of construction industry workers are expected to retire. HMSE aims to raise the profile of the trades as a rewarding, lucrative career path and to inspire more young people to enter trade schools. As added inspiration, one student from the HMSE cohort will be selected for direct entry into Local 66’s apprenticeship program at the end of the summer, launching their career and education in the sheet metal industry.
“When I graduated from high school, there was a strong push for a four-year degree and nothing else,” said Brandon Moore, refrigeration, who is leading the unit focused on Service. “It’s great that districts like Highline and programs like HMSE are encouraging students to pursue the trades, and it’s rewarding to share my passion with people who are interested in joining my industry.”
Jaden has seen first-hand how beneficial a career in the trades can be. His parents are both longshoremen and members of ILWU Local 19, and his relatives own a successful plumbing business.
“I was already interested in going to trade school before I heard about HMSE,” Jaden said. “I knew college wasn’t for me, unless it was something in construction or something that would help me get into a trade.”
“For me, this program doesn't feel like I'm giving up my summer break. I see it as something that’s crucial to my future as I’m starting my life and my career."
- Jaden, a recently graduated senior
Rather than going into plumbing with his family, Jaden is eager to find his own niche. He went into HMSE aspiring to be an electrician, but gaining exposure to each trade has widened his scope of interest.
“My favorite part of the program has been meeting the instructors and hearing what they do,” Jaden said, “The program has definitely given me a new perspective of all the options out there and all the different paths I could take with my career.”
Other students are also using this program as an opportunity for career exploration. Khalifala, an incoming senior, moved to the United States from Liberia two years ago and is interested in learning about different career options in the United States. Khalifala’s interest in construction stems from his experience helping his family with construction projects in Liberia and interactions with a family friend in the ironworks industry. He is open to exploring opportunities in any trade and is also considering studying environmental science.
“One thing I learned through this program was how much more there is to plumbing and piping,” Khalifala said. “I always saw it as working on toilets, but then I learned it was also responsible for getting oxygen to hospitals and safe drinking water to people. Now that I’ve learned more, it’s one of the trades I'm most interested in.”
Based on feedback from past cohorts, this year’s program also features two field trips to McKinstry jobsites and a Professional Development workshop hosted by the Unity Alliance on July 30.
"My favorite part of the program so far was our field trip to the University of Washington Power Plant jobsite,” said Sara, an incoming senior who is interested in construction and how it connects to her interest in cars. “We went underground and got to see the tunnels that heat and cool the buildings on campus. It was really hot down there. I had never seen anything like that before or knew it was possible.”
The program will wrap with a graduation ceremony on July 31 where instructors, McKinstry leaders, and students’ families will celebrate the cohort’s achievements and completion of the program.
“If I had to give one piece of advice to the students, it would be that a lasting path is not a fast path,” Brandon said. “No matter which path you choose, you have to put in effort and try to be the best at it. Anything worth being good at doesn’t come easy. And make sure you enjoy it. If you enjoy what you do and work to be the best you can, you’ll set yourself up for a fulfilling career.”
