{"id":8618,"date":"2026-05-13T15:22:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T19:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/?post_type=impact_story&#038;p=8618"},"modified":"2026-05-13T15:22:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T19:22:34","slug":"getting-real-with-skilled-trades","status":"publish","type":"impact_story","link":"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/impact-stories\/getting-real-with-skilled-trades\/","title":{"rendered":"La Realidad de los Oficios Calificados"},"template":"","class_list":["post-8618","impact_story","type-impact_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"details":{"featured_image":8621,"quote":"You get paid to learn; you don\u2019t go anywhere to pay to learn.","citation":"John Griffin, Underground Lineman","topic":false,"program_theme":false,"button_text":"Read More"},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_impact_story_hero","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_impact_story_hero":{"kicker_text":"United With Labor","heading":"Getting Real with Skilled Trades","summary":"","image":8621,"cta":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"El reci\u00e9n graduado de secundaria Luke Butina desea ser electricista. Se uni\u00f3 al equipo laboral de United Way for Southeastern Michigan en su <a href=\"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/impact-stories\/skilled-trades-for-students\/\" target=\"_blank\">D\u00eda de Formaci\u00f3n en Oficios Calificados para J\u00f3venes (YSE)<\/a>, designed for ages 13 \u2013 19 to get a real feel for the skilled trades environment. \r\n\r\n\u201cMy dad is an electrician, and I came out to get some more knowledge,\u201d said Luke. \u201cIt\u2019s good money and AI can\u2019t take it over\u2014 at least for a while.\u201d \r\n\r\nLuke isn\u2019t alone, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2025\/08\/19\/americans-fear-ai-permanently-displacing-workers-reuters\/ipsos-poll-finds.html?msockid=1cdbfa6fe00963ea3a02ecabe17c620c\" target=\"_blank\">encuesta 2025<\/a> se constat\u00f3 que el 71% de los estadounidenses teme que la IA deje a demasiadas personas sin trabajo de forma permanente. Las profesiones de oficios especializados demostraron <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tws.edu\/blog\/skilled-trades\/skilled-trades-careers-that-cant-be-outsourced\/\" target=\"_blank\">m\u00e1s resistente<\/a> in the face of outsourcing and automation. \r\n\r\n\u201cRight now is the best time to get into trades; my local is at 100% employment,\u201d said Julius Draughan from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plumbers98tc.org\/apprenticeship\" target=\"_blank\">Fontaneros Local 98<\/a>. Eso significa que no hay nadie necesitando un trabajo en mi sindicato, y de hecho necesitan m\u00e1s gente de la que tienen.\u201c","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image_grid","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image_grid":{"rows":[{"images":[{"image":8645,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":8648,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":8628,"override_caption":false,"caption":""}]},{"images":[{"image":8630,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":8649,"override_caption":false,"caption":""}]}],"force_aspect_ratio":false,"lightbox":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"During the morning session, several speakers shared advice on a range of in-demand professions including: DTE Field Service Representative, Electrician, Gas Technician, High Voltage Overhead Lines, HVAC, Plumber and Underground Linemen.\r\n\r\nAfter a lunch networking break, students explored several DTE service vehicles and tools outside of the <a href=\"https:\/\/local223uwua.org\/?option=com_content&Itemid=101\" target=\"_blank\">Sindicato de Trabajadores de Servicios P\u00fablicos de Am\u00e9rica (UWUA) Local 223.<\/a>\r\n<h3>El dinero habla<\/h3>\r\nUnited Way's Labor team shared information on <a href=\"https:\/\/unitedwaysem.org\/es\/get-to-know-us\/alice-report\/\" target=\"_blank\">ALICE (Activos limitados, ingresos restringidos, empleada)<\/a> to expose the true cost of living in southeastern Michigan.\r\n\r\nStudents learned that having a full-time job does not guarantee that you can afford all your basic needs. Many expressed shock that it costs over $90,000 annually to support a family of four.","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image_grid","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image_grid":{"rows":[{"images":[{"image":8651,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":8641,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":8652,"override_caption":false,"caption":""}]}],"force_aspect_ratio":false,"lightbox":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"\u201cWe call it a \u2018no-frills\u2019 budget because you\u2019re not getting any extra\u2014 no movies, no fresh sneakers and no trips to Disney World,\u201d said Alicia Dennis, director of Labor Relations at United Way. \"You\u2019d need at least $90,000 and a lot of jobs are not paying that\u2014 you better believe, they are not.\u201d \r\n\r\nAlicia opened up to the students about what it feels like to live below the ALICE budget threshold and how skilled trades can help them out of that position. \r\n\r\n\u201cAs a kid, we got the gas turned off in the middle of winter and for six weeks I had to sleep in the same bed as my mom and brother,\u201d said Alicia. \u201cSkilled Trades can get you out of a bad situation; it's a path from survival to stability.\u201d","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image_grid","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image_grid":{"rows":[{"images":[{"image":8654,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":8655,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":"","override_caption":false,"caption":""}]}],"force_aspect_ratio":false,"lightbox":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"Skilled trades remain a lucrative option for ALICE families that cannot afford college tuition. In the fourth year of his apprenticeship, Underground Lineman John Griffin shared how quickly you go from learning to earning in trades.\r\n\r\n\u201cYou get paid to learn; you don\u2019t go anywhere to pay to learn,\u201d said John. \u201cIt\u2019s a four-year program and I made $230,000 in my first year.\u201d","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_promo","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_promo":{"":null,"title":"\"Usted recibe un pago por aprender; usted no va a ning\\u00fan lado a pagar para aprender.\"","abstract":"","links":null,"button":"","button2":"","image":8658,"reverse":false,"color":"navy","id":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"<h3>EMPIECE HOY<\/h3>\r\nToday, there are plenty of opportunities to break into a skilled trades career. GAS Chairman of UWUA Local 223 Ignatius Brennan gave students clear directions to start.\r\n\r\n\u201cI want everyone here to get MAD; motivated and determined,\u201d said Ignatius. \u201cIf you want to get a job here, there is a requirement to be drug-free, even if it is legal.\r\n\r\n\u201cJust put it down and start today\u2014 every second that goes by is an opportunity to start over.\u201d","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image_grid","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image_grid":{"rows":[{"images":[{"image":8660,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":8644,"override_caption":false,"caption":""},{"image":8623,"override_caption":false,"caption":""}]}],"force_aspect_ratio":false,"lightbox":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"John pointed out some other steps students can take to familiarize themselves with trades while waiting to apply for an apprenticeship. \r\n\r\n\u201cGet some mechanical skills, learn your tools and how to work with your hands,\u201d said John. \u201cIf you drive a car, learn how to change your breaks.\u201d \r\n\r\nIf students aren\u2019t mechanically savvy, there is no reason to be afraid of learning a skilled trade. Underground Lineman Akil Williamson shared that he started with minimal experience. \r\n\r\n\u201cWhen I started, I only knew how to change a lightbulb and how to change batteries in a remote,\u201d said Akil. \u201cEverything is hard work, but what comes with that?  \r\n\r\n\u201cAsk yourself: \u2018What industry can I do that hard work in, and it\u2019ll help me in the future?\u2019\u201d","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image":{"image":8631,"helper_width":"narrow"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"\u00bfQuiere ayudar a que m\u00e1s estudiantes experimenten oficios calificados? <a href=\"https:\/\/ignite.stratuslive.com\/unitedwaysem\/get-involved\/donate\/main-donation-page?slca=0000274\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a1Haga su donaci\u00f3n hoy mismo!<\/a>","right_rail_type":"none","stat":{"title":"","abstract":""},"image":null,"callout":{"text":"","abstract":""},"":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_our_impact","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_our_impact":{"header":{"title":"More stories like this...","abstract":"","link":""},"dynamic_population":true,"version":"1","topic_filter":[292],"program_theme_filter":[],"layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"version_4","story_col_1":null,"story_col_2":null}]}}]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - 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