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.

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

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.

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.

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,...