You’re Not Who We Want Out Here: A Woman’s Reality in the Skilled Trades

You’re Not Who We Want Out Here: A Woman’s Reality in the Skilled Trades

Author: Andrew Brown January 14, 2026 Duration: 27:33
The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades
BusinessCareersEducationEntrepreneurshipHow To

The first thing a superintendent said to Valerie Butler on a jobsite was: ‘You’re not who we want out here.’”

Host Andrew Brown sits down with Valerie Butler, a plumbing apprentice at P.I.P.E. Incorporated, to explore how to build a successful plumbing career path in today’s skilled trades industry. Valerie shares her journey from the Marine Corps to a hands-on plumbing apprenticeship, offering real insight into military to trades career transitions, job site realities, and the value of skilled trades mentorship.

This episode takes an honest look at what it’s like being one of the first women in a company’s apprenticeship program, how plumbers actually get started without industry connections, and why the trades offer long-term opportunity without college debt. If you’re exploring women in the skilled trades, considering a plumbing apprenticeship, or looking for a proven plumbing career path, this conversation delivers practical guidance from someone living it.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. (00:01) – From Military to Trades Career: How Valerie transitioned from the Marine Corps into a plumbing apprenticeship
  2. (07:58) – Plumbing Apprenticeship 101: How to get hired, what first-year plumbers actually do
  3. (15:40) – Women in the Skilled Trades: Navigating job sites, skepticism, and earning respect
  4. (26:22) – Skilled Trades Mentorship: Why the right foreman changes everything
  5. (35:55) – Plumbing Career Path & Pay Progression: Apprentice wages vs journeyman income
  6. (47:30) – Advice for Gen Z & Career Changers: How to test trades careers without long-term risk

Key Takeaways

  1. A plumbing apprenticeship provides paid education and long-term career security without student loan debt.
  2. Women in the skilled trades are reshaping construction culture through planning, leadership, and problem-solving.
  3. Military to trades career transitions offer a strong advantage, especially in discipline, confidence, and adaptability.
  4. Skilled trades mentorship accelerates learning, builds confidence, and shortens the path to mastery.

About the Guest

Valerie Butler is a plumbing apprentice at P.I.P.E. Incorporated and a passionate advocate for women in the skilled trades. After leaving the Marine Corps due to injury, Valerie pursued a plumbing apprenticeship, proving that a military to trades career can lead to stability, growth, and fulfillment.

As one of the first women apprentices in her company, Valerie actively supports skilled trades mentorship, participates in career fairs, and uses LinkedIn to help more women explore sustainable plumbing career paths in the trades industry.

Keywords

Women in the Skilled Trades, Plumbing Apprenticeship, Military to Trades Career, Skilled Trades Mentorship, Plumbing Career Path, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Andrew Brown, Valerie Butler, P.I.P.E. Incorporated, Toolfetch, Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC, Carpentry, Millwrights, Construction, Trades Careers, Tradespeople, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Advocacy, Contractors, Industry Experts, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

RESOURCE LINKS

Website: https://pipeinc.net/

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.


There's a quiet revolution happening in the workforce, one built on the sound of a hammer, the hum of a saw, and the satisfaction of a job done with your own hands. The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades is a conversation about that shift, guided by Andrew Brown. This isn't just a technical manual; it's a deep exploration of the craft, business, and profound personal fulfillment found in skilled trades. Andrew draws from his own journey through hands-on work and entrepreneurship to frame discussions that are as much about building a life as they are about building things. Each episode connects the dots between practical skill, viable career paths, and the entrepreneurial mindset needed to thrive independently. You'll hear from seasoned professionals who share their hard-won wisdom, alongside discussions on navigating the business side of trades, from client relations to financial stability. The goal is to elevate the conversation around these essential careers, moving beyond stereotypes to highlight the creativity, critical thinking, and dignity inherent in skilled work. Tune into this podcast for honest stories, actionable advice, and a renewed appreciation for the foundational crafts that shape our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 90

Official website RSS
instagramyoutubetiktoklinkedinspotify
The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades
Podcast Episodes
What the Trades Don't See (But We Do) | Aaron Witt, BuildWitt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:54
What the Trades Don't See (But We Do) | Aaron Witt, BuildWittAaron Witt of BuildWitt has visited job sites on 5 continents. His take: the trades' biggest problem isn't negative perception — it's invisibility.Most people…
What Happens After 30 Years in the Trades? | Herb Sargent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
What if the real workforce problem isn't recruiting — it's that we're handing young people tools before we've taught them how to live? Herb Sargent, recently retired CEO and Board Chair of Sargent Corporation, has spent…
300,000 Welders Short and It's Getting Worse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:01
The welder shortage has never improved in 30 years. Kris Scherm of ESAB explains why — and what it will take to fix the pipeline.When Kris Scherm entered the welding industry in the nineties, the American Welding Society…
Sarah Stork Started Welding at 32… Now She Builds Steel Sculptures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:21
Welder and metal artist Sarah Stork went from farm chores to SkillsUSA national champion — and built a thriving sculpture business on her own terms.When the guys on her SkillsUSA team laughed her off on the spot, Sarah d…
Why the Best Tradesmen Never Cut Corners with John Henderson of ESAB [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:52
Brazing best practices, nitrogen purge brazing, and air fuel vs oxy fuel system decisions all reveal the same principle: the best tradesmen never cut corners.Host Andrew Brown sits down with John Henderson, Sales Directo…
Why Some People Succeed in the Trades — And Others Don’t [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:14
Skilled trades careers offer another path. Tony Bertolino explains plumbing apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and why apprenticeships aren’t “less than” college.Host Andrew Brown sits down with fourth-generation plum…

12345...9»