Side Hustle School Ep. 3176 - TBT: Helping High School Dropouts Start Plumbing Careers
Sep 11, 2025
Discover how a unique program is helping high school dropouts kickstart rewarding careers in plumbing by providing essential skills and paid apprenticeships. Learn about the innovative business model bridging the skills gap between eager students and employers. Delve into the traits that make side hustlers successful, focusing on the importance of curiosity and proactive choices. Also, find out how platforms like ShipStation can streamline operations for small business owners. This engaging discussion offers both inspiration and practical insights!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Trades Resist Automation
- Trades like plumbing remain strong because they are hard to automate and provide stable incomes.
- That stability creates real opportunity for training programs to place workers into paid apprenticeships.
From Phones To Plumber Training
- Jamie started a four-week Plumber's Helper crash course teaching basic tools, terminology, and soft skills.
- He introduced graduates to local plumbing companies and two-thirds of the first cohort got hired.
Pilot Validated With Local Hires
- Jamie tested his idea with local people doing gig work and temp jobs and saw clear demand from employers.
- After the first pilot, he realized the model worked when multiple students were hired quickly.