(photos from Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33 training center)
(DES MOINES, Iowa) Iowa high school students interested in exploring skilled trades have a couple unique opportunties this spring. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33 in Des Moines is hosting its 3rd Annual High School "Weld Off" competition April 5th.
Business Manager Andy Roberts tells WHO Radio News it's a fun competition and students can win prizes for their efforts, while learning about a skilled trade that's in high demand.
Training Director Eric Smith says last year, they had 90 students from Iowa and surrounding states participate in the competition. Smith says during the event they may also learn about their apprenticeship program. He says Local 33 has about 350 apprentices currently, and they boast a 93-percent completion rate. He says students interested in the trade should have strong math skills and a strong work ethic.
Andy Roberts says there are many rewards for those who complete the program. He says the demand for skilled trades is strong now, and is expected to be strong in the future, as plumbers and steamfitters who are baby boomers retire.
There's another opportunity this spring for students interest in the trades, a Construction Careers & Education Expo, April 12th and 13th at the Iron Workers Training Center at 2221 Ovid Avenue in Des Moines. A flyer about the event states students will move through a dozen stations with hands-on demonstrations of work, typically done at a construction site.