The vo-tech kid I hired last year, best helper I've had in a long time. Shows up early, listens, asks the right questions. He applied to the plumbers' local in the spring without telling me. Got the call this week. Starts in January.
I'm happy for him, and I mean that. I was in the union myself for a few years. I know exactly what he's getting: real schooling, real benefits. My father used to say you can't keep a good kid in a small shop, you can only be the shop he's glad he started in.
Still. I'd started thinking he might be the one to take this place over someday. Back to the hiring pile. Anyone else lose their best guy this year?
Vo-tech instructor, plumbing & HVAC · 28 years · Passaic County, NJ
Mentor
Every spring I lose students to the locals and every spring I'm proud and a little sad. You did your part. He'll remember who taught him to carry a water heater properly.