Episode Details

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Do people need you or just want you? The Trade Talks #215 Tom Parker Tradesmen built America, not desk jockeys or policymakers. In this episode of The Trade, Roger Wakefield sits down with a seasoned plumber to talk about how the plumbing industry has evolved and why change is inevitable in the skilled trades.

From the shift from cast iron and copper to PVC and plastics, to the future impact of AI on blue-collar work, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build a long, successful career in plumbing. You'll hear real-world lessons about apprenticeships, union vs non-union work, commercial vs residential experience, and why mastering the science behind the pipe matters just as much as making the connection.

We also explore how a simple piece of advice, "Do people need you or just want you?", shaped an entire career, plus why focus, mentorship, and adaptability separate good tradespeople from great ones. If you're thinking about getting into the trades, already working in plumbing, or just want an honest look at how skilled labor continues to shape America, this episode is for you.

If you're thinking about getting into the trades, already working in plumbing, or just want an honest look at how skilled labor continues to shape America, this episode is for you.

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