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December 12, 2023
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – Unless they have a family member working in the construction trade, high school students can be unaware of the potential career opportunities available in the field.
The Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) program – which introduces high school students and recent graduates to careers in the building trades through hands-on projects, working alongside craft professionals and discovering local apprenticeship training opportunities – aims to change that.
The program, which debuted on the West Coast two years ago, has made its way to Northeast Wisconsin, thanks to Tweet/Garot Mechanical, Inc., a professional mechanical contractor headquartered in De Pere.
“The Heavy Metal Summer Experience is part of creating a pipeline to bring in the next generation of people to work in the trades,” Hope Voigt, chief operation officer for Tweet/Garot, said. “Kids are getting younger when they’re making a decision about which career path to choose. It used to be that last year or two in high school, but now students, even in middle school, are evaluating career options (earlier).”
Program details
The program provides students ages 14 to 19 with hands-on opportunities as they learn more about the plumbing, sheet metal and pipefitting trades.
Voigt said students will meet twice weekly for six weeks (from June 10 to July 19, 2024) at Tweet/Garot’s Wrightstown manufacturing facility (4001 French Road).
The business will coordinate free transportation from central locations in Appleton and Green Bay to help students get to and from the program.
Voigt said Tweet/Garot is working with the Boys & Girls Club of the Fox Valley and Young Life in Green Bay to attract students to the program, but it is open to anyone.
“Many people do not know much about the trades, and we want to change that,” she said. “We want to attract people from various backgrounds, including women, people of color and different ethnicities. The trades are a lifelong career, and it’s a great opportunity for lots of people.”
Free safety gear, including shoes, will be provided to students enrolled in the program.
West Coast start
Western Allied Mechanical in California and the Hermanson Company in Washington teamed up to pilot the six-week-long summer program to expose students to careers in the trades.
Due to the program’s success, the Heavy Metal Summer Experience program was created as a nonprofit to expand the program across the country.
The HMSE curriculum and program ideas are available on the program’s website (hmse.org) to assist businesses in navigating the program.
Voigt said Tweet/Garot is tapping into that resource.
Hope Voigt
The business is also partnering with Sheet Metal Workers Local 18 in Green Bay and Plumbers and Steamfitters UA Local 400 in Kaukauna on the program.
Students will tour both locations to learn more about their offerings and personnel.
Voigt said the program will be led by a variety of Tweet/Garot employees.
“Students in the program will make four things, including a toolbox and then an item related to each trade area – plumbing, sheet metal and pipefitting – they will be able to take home,” she said. “These hands-on activities will help them discover if a trade is something they want to pursue.”
First- and second-year apprentices from Tweet/Garot will also talk with the students about what to expect from a potential apprenticeship if they choose to pursue one in the future.
“They can have their questions answered and know more about what to expect if they decide to pursue a career in the trades,” Voigt said. “Youth apprenticeships are a part of the feeder system to enter the trade. The program provides access to a career in the trades many students may know nothing about.”
Application process around the corner
The application process for Tweet/Garot’s HMSE program begins in January.
Voigt said the goal is to have 12 to 16 students enrolled.
If enough students show interest, she said a second six-week program could also be held.
“Our goal for 2025 is to run two six-week programs,” she said.
This isn’t Tweet/Garot’s first foray to reach out to students to develop an interest in the trades. Voigt said company representatives have attended career fairs for students and partnered with the Boldt Company on BuildX, where students who showed an interest in entering the construction industry were able to participate in different hands-on activities.
“We have never done anything this intense, (so) we are excited about the Heavy Metal Summer Experience program,” she said.
