Kankakee Valley REMC is always looking for new ways to strengthen the community by connecting students with local businesses. That’s why, on Thursday, November 2, Kankakee Valley REMC held its first Trades Camp. A group of high school students interested in the trades came out to Kankakee Valley REMC’s Wanatah office to interact with local trades professionals, learn more about the trades, and discover all the opportunities that the future can hold.
The idea for a Trades Camp was first developed by Kankakee Valley REMC’s statewide association, Indiana Electric Cooperatives. The association asked Kankakee Valley REMC to pilot the first camp, and Kankakee Valley REMC team was more than up for the challenge.
“I feel like the trades are overlooked in schools. So many kids have a desire to get into the trades, but they don’t know where to start. This is a great way for students who want to enter the world of work post-high school and allow them to learn more about the different trades available,” said Amanda Steeb, director of marketing communications at Kankakee Valley REMC.
The Kankakee Valley REMC team reached out to several trades within the area to see if they’d like to participate—everyone was more than eager to support the event. Seven trade groups attended, including sprinkler fitters, pipe fitters, plumbers, electricians, operators, journeyman lineman, and carpenters.
“This is a really great event. I’m really glad Kankakee Valley REMC did this. I’ve already been talking to its team about making sure the operators are a part of this every year. We’re super excited,” said Marcus Jordan, diversity, equity, and inclusion coordinator for the Indiana Illinois Foundation for Fair Contracting and Operating Engineers Local 150.
For being Kankakee Valley REMC’s first Trades Camp, the camp had an incredible turnout: 51 junior and senior students attended the event from high schools all across the Region. There were even some homeschooled students who took part in the camp.
“We’ve had students drive over an hour to be here today. That fact shows that there is a need for opportunities like this in our community,” said Dave Howell, facilities manager for Kankakee Valley REMC.
The day began with the students visiting each trade and learning about the profession, the schooling necessary, and what a typical day in the trade would look like. The trades professionals were excited to answer the kids’ questions and give them tips on getting into the industry once they’re finished with school. Many trades have struggled to find the next generation of employees, so the event was the perfect opportunity to pique kids’ interest.
“I’m creating a path for the next generation. That’s what my union is all about–we’re about creating paths for people and creating a viable workforce for the next generation so they can keep adding on for years to come,” said Jordan.
The camp was equally beneficial for the students. Blake Michiaels, a junior at Morgan Township High School, signed up for the camp because he was interested in becoming a lineman. The camp gave him an even better understanding of the industry, reinforcing to him that becoming a lineman was what he wanted to do.
“The camp has given me a better idea of the field I want to go in. It was cool to learn more about the apprenticeship program and hear about what I’ll be doing in my first, second, third, and even fourth years working as a lineman. It’s been a really good opportunity to help me get into what I want to do,” said Michiaels.
What made the event even more valuable was that the students got to participate in several hands-on activities and get a natural feel for the work they might be doing in different fields. The operators had an excavator simulator for the kids to use, the lineman showed the kids how to tie life-saving knots, and the electricians taught the kids how to wire light switches.
“Kids don’t want to sit and receive information. They want to take what they’ve learned and put it into practice. I feel like we’ve given them a good mix of learning about the trades and how to get into them, but also what a day in the life of a tradesman might look like. I’m glad we can give them that full-picture experience,” said Steeb.
Michaels loved that even though the camp swelled his interest in becoming a journeyman lineman, he had the chance to learn about several other opportunities as well.
“I’ve been introduced to many different things–I didn’t realize how all these things work together. I knew about operators and carpenters, but I didn’t realize how sprinkler fitters, plumbers, and pipefitters are all intertwined. It’s been cool to learn about all this,” said Michiaels.
Along with gaining knowledge, everyone just hoped that the students walked away knowing that they didn’t have to go to college to be successful. The trades can provide very fulfilling, rewarding careers and incredible opportunities.
“I want the kids to take away that there are so many great paths that are just as great as college. As a union tradesman or woman, you can get healthcare, benefits, a great pension, and good wages to live the life you want to live without worries or debt. The best part is, too, if you decide you want to make a change in your life and go back to school, you’ll be working for an organization that’s supportive of whatever changes you want to make,” said Jordan.
Kankakee Valley REMC’s first Trades Camp couldn’t have been more impactful. Several of the trades professionals jotted down names of students they’d like to reach out to when they graduate, while students took countless business cards and words of advice. Time will only tell what amazing things come from these new connections.
To learn more about Kankakee Valley REMC, visit www.kvremc.com.
