Wauwatosa East Junior Hanie Tiru felt out of place in his regular Sophomore year classes.  He didn’t feel as motivated and passionate about going to school and started to question the traditional path of following high school with a college education. But, Hanie knew he loved the creative, problem solving that comes with fixing things like his Toyota Corolla 2007.  

Joining the Launch Trades Program and getting into the trades was exactly what he needed.  It seemed to be a natural fit for him. 

“I took part in this program because I have a lot of family in the skilled trades and honestly I am way more interested in hands-on work compared to the traditional school work.” Said Junior Hanie Tiru, from Wauwatosa East High School.

Some people just like Hanie even realized that college would not be for them early in their high school career.

“When I was in high school, I knew I wasn’t going to college, but I also realized I was good with my hands, good with math, good with building things, and good with problem-solving. I really kind of fell into it. My uncle was a plumber, and I just loved it after I first started.” Said Scott Kramm Journeyman Plumber, from Milestone Plumbing.

Wauwatosa East hosts and runs the LAUNCH: Skills and Building Trades available to Wauwatosa West and Brookfield students and is dedicated to helping students pursue a career in the trades.

Students have various reasons for Joining the LAUNCH: Skills and Building Trades program.  Some are just looking for an interesting class whereas others see a path forward out of high school

“It was one random thought and then I did some research on it and I fell in love with it and that’s what brought me to this class and program.” Said Junior Miguel Leyva, from Wauwatosa West High School.

Many are still unsure and unclear about their path after high school. Lots of students take part in this program because they see themselves working in a field that uses creativity, grit, teamwork, and hands-on work. 

After all, traditional schooling does not fit every single learning style.  The LAUNCH program seeks to give students the opportunity to discover if they have the skills, interest and aptitude for work in the skilled trades.

“With hands-on learning, I feel more engaged with the work that we have to do. I also feel more passionate about it as well. I feel like I understand it more and I can get into it, unlike other classes.” Said Junior Hanie Tiru, from Wauwatosa East High School.

The trades are often overlooked and or undervalued when compared to college degrees, but a good job in the trades can set you up for success for the rest of your life.

“I had a student named Kyle Higgins who went into the trades and within 6 months of graduating, he bought a house and was then renting out a room in his house to people and he had zero mortgage to pay. I also had another student who graduated last year, and he already bought himself a new truck. Some kids are financially independent within less than a year of graduation,” said Skilled Trades teacher Craig Griffie.

Skilled Trades Applied Math teacher Lindsey Folta agrees.

“It’s only my second year being a part of this program, but I can think back on signing day and how many students signed with different companies and a lot of the students are still in their youth apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship. We have even seen a couple of students from the class on a couple of different actual job sites. We also have an alumni panel, so I know from years past a lot of students are still in the trades and are enjoying it and they went through this program to get there.” said Folta

If you are interested in the trades, this program can change the trajectory of your career.

“I think this program with hands-on experience helps people in the trades because not all students can sit and learn about the trades from textbooks. It gets them involved and thinking about the trades from a first-hand perspective. The students need to get hands-on experience to see what the trades are actually like as well.” Said Folta

The simple experience of doing and working with multiple trades this early on is extremely valuable and irreplaceable.

It is possible to change your focus when you are starting a career in the trades.  If a person starts as a carpenter for 2 or 3 years, they can change their mind and become an electrician or plumber. 

“You are not stuck in one particular trade, which is super nice. One very important thing, though, is getting exposure and experiencing different trades. Whether you do that through helping a family member or even job shadowing for a day, it is precious in how it shows you what you don’t like and what you do like.” Said Scott Kramm Journeyman Plumber, from Milestone Plumbing.

The Trades Launch Program is a blast and I wouldn’t trade it for any other class. My favorite part of the class is truly hands-on work. You get to understand how structures are made on a deeper level and gain experience well doing so.

“My favorite part is building the bathroom. It gives us experience in tons of different trades and it opens my eyes to all the different opportunities. It’s nice because then I can find the trade that interests me the most.” Said Junior Hanie Tiru, from Wauwatosa East High School.

Even the teachers see a difference in how students perform better when there is more of a hands-on approach instead of the typical teaching style.

“On the math teacher side of things, my favorite thing about this program is seeing kids that are in my traditional Geometry class or my Algebra II class and they just do not enjoy it and they struggle with motivation but then I see the same students in this program and seeing/using the applied math they excel and they can do all the things I was teaching them in a regular traditional classroom but doing it in a different setting within the class. Hands-on work shows the skills they need to do, so it’s fun to see them in a new setting.” Said Folta

My final thoughts about the class are that I love it. I do not regret taking the class and being interested in the path of the trades. I have found that I love working with my hands, problem-solving, and teamwork. This class creates so many wonderful opportunities if you are willing to work and put your best foot forward.

Not only do the students enjoy the program, but also the workers from actual trades who volunteered to help as well.

“This is one of my favorite parts of the year. I have done this for 5 years now, and I look forward to it every time because I meet students who want to get into that trade and some students who want to plumb specifically. You guys are fortunate. Not a lot of schools have this, and it’s great exposure to all different trades.” Said Scott Kramm Journeyman Plumber, from Milestone Plumbing.