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 plumber, contractor, apprenticeship instructor, and business owner Tony Bertolino to break down how trades careers actually develop, from plumbing apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training to the shift from technician to owner.

Recorded during live apprenticeship competitions, Tony shares what sets top apprentices apart: mindset, self-discipline, and pride in doing the work well. The conversation explores why classroom learning has limits, how hands-on repetition builds real mastery, and why trades education works best when theory and field experience reinforce each other.

Tony also addresses common misconceptions about plumbing, explaining its role in public health and why the work is often undervalued precisely because it’s done so well. For those considering entrepreneurship, he offers a reality check on ownership—covering responsibility, risk, mentorship, and the importance of community.

Whether you’re exploring an apprenticeship, alternative education, or ownership in the trades, this episode offers grounded perspective from someone who’s lived every stage.

(00:01) – Skilled Trades Careers Today: Pride in the work and why demand keeps rising

(05:12) – Plumbing Apprenticeship Programs: What textbooks teach—and what they can’t

(11:40) – On-the-Job Training in the Trades: Why hands-on repetition builds mastery

(18:55) – Trades Entrepreneurship: Why ownership isn’t “overnight success”

(26:30) – Mentorship, PHCC, and community: Why business owners shouldn’t operate alone

(34:10) – Alternative Education Pathways: Why apprenticeships aren’t better or worse than college—just different

1. Skilled trades careers are built through pride, responsibility, and consistent effort—not shortcuts.
2. Plumbing apprenticeship programs work best when classroom theory is paired with real on-the-job training.
3. Hands-on repetition and tool confidence are difficult to teach without field experience.
4. Plumbing protects public health through safe water and sanitation, even though the work is often invisible.
5. Trades entrepreneurship brings freedom, but also nonstop responsibility and financial complexity.
6. Mentorship and professional community reduce isolation and help owners make better decisions under pressure.
7. Failure is part of learning in the trades, and progress depends on how people respond to mistakes.

Tony Bertolino is a fourth-generation plumber, contractor, apprenticeship instructor, and co-owner of Bertolino Plumbing and Heating. He also serves as a national VP within the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), where he supports workforce development, mentorship, and modern apprenticeship education.

Tony focuses on strengthening the trades through real-world training, honest conversations about ownership, and long-term investment in people.

Skilled Trades Careers, Plumbing Apprenticeship...

Before skill, before technology, trades careers are built on responsibility and showing up.

Andrew Brown and Dan Callies, President of Oak Creek Plumbing, break down what actually sustains blue-collar careers: character, mentorship, and earned respect.

Andrew and Dan explore how plumbing apprenticeships develop more than technical skill, why hire for character, train for skill remains a durable leadership principle, and what it really takes to grow from apprentice to journeyman to business owner. Drawing from decades in the field and in leadership, Dan explains how accountability, attitude, and consistency shape long-term success in the trades.

The conversation also examines the AI impact on skilled trades, not as a threat to craftsmanship, but as a tool to support efficiency, diagnostics, training, and operations. Dan shares how Oak Creek Plumbing uses technology to digitize routine processes while preserving the human judgment required for hands-on problem-solving.

Whether you’re considering skilled trades careers, currently in a plumbing apprenticeship, leading blue collar teams, or trying to understand how AI fits into construction and contracting, this episode delivers experience-backed insight from someone who has built both people and businesses in the trades.

(00:00) – Skilled Trades Careers Today: Why the trades remain the backbone of the economy

(06:10) – Hire for Character, Train for Skill: What leaders actually look for on job sites

(14:45) – Plumbing Apprenticeships Explained: Earning while learning and building mastery

(24:30) – The AI Impact on Skilled Trades: Digitize what you can, humanize what you must

(35:50) – Blue Collar Careers vs College Debt: Time, patience, and long-term payoff

(49:20) – Advice for Young People Entering Skilled Trades Careers Today

1. Skilled trades careers are built through consistency, responsibility, and showing up, before skill ever takes over.
2. A plumbing apprenticeship develops technical ability, discipline, and leadership over time.
3. Hiring for character and training for skill creates stronger tradespeople and healthier companies.
4. The AI impact on skilled trades improves efficiency and training but cannot replace hands-on judgment or craftsmanship.

Dan Callies is the President of Oak Creek Plumbing and a second-generation plumber with decades of experience in the field and in leadership. He has worked through every stage of the trade, from apprenticeship to ownership, and remains deeply involved in mentorship, workforce development, and industry advocacy.

Dan is a strong proponent of apprenticeship training, union education, and responsible technology adoption. He believes the future of blue collar work depends on character, accountability, and leaders willing to invest in people over time.

Skilled Trades Careers, Plumbing Apprenticeship, Hire for Character Train for Skill, Blue Collar Leadership, AI Impact on Skilled Trades, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Trades Careers, Tradespeople, Contractors, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC, Carpentry, Millwrights, Andrew Brown, Dan Callies, Oak Creek Plumbing, Toolfetch, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-callies-6a641613/

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Welding careers, welding apprenticeship programs, and the welding skills gap—Arc Junkies host Jason Becker breaks down what today’s welders need to know.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with Jason Becker, Marine veteran, longtime welder, educator, and host of the Arc Junkies podcast, to explore the real-world journey from hands-on welding work to industry-wide storytelling and advocacy.

This episode unpacks how years of hands-on welding experience shaped Jason’s voice as an industry advocate and podcast host—learning welding through repetition, hard work, and decades in the trade and how he went on to hosting his own podcast where he’s spent 450+ episodes amplifying honest conversations about welding careers, workforce development, and the growing welding skills gap.

Together, Andrew and Jason break down what today’s welders need to know about welding apprenticeship programs, trade school for welding, mentorship, pay progression, and why the trades struggle to attract and retain the next generation. The conversation also highlights how platforms like the Arc Junkies podcast help reshape how young people view welding and the broader Skilled Trades.

Whether you’re considering a career in welding, already working under the hood, or interested in how storytelling can influence the Trades Industry, this episode delivers grounded, experience-backed insight.

1. (00:01) – From Under the Hood: Jason Becker’s welding origin story
2. (07:45) – Military welding, ironwork, and decades in the field
3. (16:10) – To the Mic: Taking over the Arc Junkies podcast
4. (27:30) – Welding Apprenticeship Programs vs Trade School for Welding
5. (40:50) – The Welding Skills Gap: pay, perception, and mentorship failures
6. (55:40) – Why storytelling matters for the future of welding careers

1. Welding careers are built through time under the hood—real skill takes repetition, patience, and mentorship.
2. Welding apprenticeship programs and trade school for welding both play critical roles, depending on career goals and access.
3. The welding skills gap is driven as much by culture, pay stagnation, and weak mentorship as by labor shortages.
4. Moving from the shop floor to platforms like the Arc Junkies podcast shows how tradespeople can lead industry advocacy and education.

Jason Becker is a Marine veteran, professional welder, educator, and host of the Arc Junkies podcast. With decades of experience in welding, construction, and workforce training, Jason has become a trusted voice in conversations around welding careers, skills development, and the future of the Skilled Trades. His work bridges hands-on craftsmanship with industry-wide storytelling and advocacy.

Welding Careers, Welding Apprenticeship Programs, Welding Skills Gap, Trade School for Welding, Arc Junkies Podcast, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Trades Careers, Tradespeople, Contractors, Industry Experts, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Construction, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights,...