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THE PATHS
WE FORGE
WOLVERINE X SKILLSUSA
TRADES INDUSTRY PANELISTS
A Panel of Paths
Skilled labor is in short supply. Over the next decade, there will be 6.5 million unfilled skilled trades jobs in the US, but only 9% of high school students are currently choosing to pursue careers in the trades.
Wolverine and SkillsUSA, an organization dedicated to ensuring America has a skilled workforce, are addressing the skilled trades deficit head-on by breaking down misconceptions about opportunities in the trades and raising awareness for the incredible opportunity that exists in skilled trades professions.
On May 4, Wolverine and SkillsUSA joined forces for National Signing Day to celebrate high school students who are forging their own path by committing to pursue careers in skilled trades professions. Over 1,000 students across the country participated in SkillsUSA National Signing Day, including 90 at the Bay City, Michigan event.
In addition to applauding these students as they signed letters of intent for job offers, apprenticeships or advanced technical training, Wolverine assembled a roster of impressive guest attendees, speakers, and panelists to further inspire the next generation of skilled workers and change the perception of the skilled trades as a viable and important career path.
On May 4, Wolverine and SkillsUSA joined forces for National Signing Day to celebrate high school students who are forging their own path by committing to pursue careers in skilled trades professions. Over 1,000 students across the country participated in SkillsUSA National Signing Day, including 90 at the Bay City, Michigan event.
In addition to applauding these students as they signed letters of intent for job offers, apprenticeships or advanced technical training, Wolverine assembled a roster of impressive guest attendees, speakers, and panelists to further inspire the next generation of skilled workers and change the perception of the skilled trades as a viable and important career path.
Wolverine’s Vice President of Global Marketing, Scott Schoessel, addressed the graduating seniors and reinforced the great opportunity existent in the trades, University of Michigan Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh shared words of wisdom on having grit to go after the future you seek, and a panel of trade professionals across a gamut of industries shared their experiences and advice for the students in attendance. Meet the panelists:
BRIAN HAWKINS
Architectural Senior General Superintendent, Three Rivers Corporation
With 43 years of experience working in the construction industry – not to mention having grown up with a father who was a general superintendent for a local industrial contractor – Brian Hawkins is no stranger to what building a career in the trades can look like. Today, as the Senior General Superintendent at Three Rivers Corporation, Brian is responsible for over 120 people in trades ranging from carpenters, millwork, scaffold builders, and structural steel.
“I feel the greatest misconception about the trades/construction is the people in the trades aren’t smart enough to go to college and construction has menial low paying jobs. There is nothing further from the truth. Construction workers are some of the smartest people I have ever met. They can look at a set of drawings and turn it into a building. Today we use a lot of high-tech equipment from lasers to total stations for laying out buildings without ever so much as getting out a tape measure. We have robotic welders in our pipe shops, CNC machines in our cabinet shops, and our supervisors all carry tablets. We wear cameras on our hardhats to make progress videos and project modeling videos.”
TAMMY RICHARDS
Production Manager, SC Johnson
Tammy Richards started at SC Johnson in 1999 as a technician. Since then, she’s forged her own path at SC Johnson working a variety of roles including Warehouse Operator, Line Technician, Team Leader, Warehouse Manager, Learning and Development Manager, and now, Production Manager. She also led the organization’s Apprenticeship Program and serves on the Skilled Trades Committee at Delta College.
“Planning for your future is probably the most important step any young person can take. It can be very scary and for others, it may be easy. You can never ask too many questions... Get out there and see what you can experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you have the opportunity. If you know someone in a trade, ask them. Those that have been through the program are the best resources. If you don’t know anyone, ask your school counselors for help, they know how to get you resources.”
JUSTIN POMERVILLE
President, Tri-County Building Trades
Justin M. Pomerville is the Business Manager/Financial Secretary of the United Association Local Union 85 Plumbers, Steamfitters and HVACR Service Technicians for the Northern 29 ½ Counties of Michigan. He also serves as the President for the Tri-County Building and Construction Trades, State Building Trades Executive Board Member, Michigan Pipe Trades Executive Board Member, and Saginaw Future Board Member. A strong believer in the power of teamwork, Justin strives to create a working environment that is not only safe for the worker, but also offers a fair wage to provide for their families. In addition to working with the Trades, he is devoted to increasing trade school awareness throughout the Saginaw Bay Region.
“My advice to high school students would be to find a job that you really enjoy, something that appeals to you along with providing economic security. I encourage them to take a look at the skilled trades as much as they would the various colleges.”
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