Introducing High School Students to High-Paying Careers
A summer program that has gained national attention is making its debut in the Quad Cities this week, offering local high school students a unique opportunity to explore high-paying career paths. The Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) is a free, hands-on initiative designed to introduce young people to in-demand jobs in the union sheet metal, piping, electrical, and plumbing trades.
These trades are often seen as an attractive alternative to traditional four-year college degrees because they offer earn-as-you-learn apprenticeships. This means students can start earning while they learn, avoiding the burden of student debt.
This year, the QC Electrical Training Center in Moline has become one of 51 HMSE host “camps” across North America. It is also the first all-electrical camp in the program’s five-year history. The program runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 7, through Thursday, July 10, with a graduation ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, July 11.
A New Perspective on Career Opportunities
Terry Van Hook, the training director at the QC Electrical Training Center and a graduate of the Local Union 145 JATC program he now leads, brings 18 years of experience in the electrical trade to the camp. He emphasizes that the program helps students see that college is not their only option.
“There’s a lot of stigma with four-year degrees—that they’re the only route you can go to make decent money. I think that the kids this week are going to learn that there are opportunities outside of a four-year degree to make great wages and benefits for your family and yourself,” Van Hook said.
Alongside assistant training director Jodi Anderson, Van Hook is introducing 12 local students to the trade with the help of the training center’s three full-time instructors—Josh Parr, Robbie Seals, and Bryan Peterson. These instructors are sharing real-world knowledge and guiding students through hands-on electrical projects.
Engaging Students Through Practical Learning
Cindy Burke, an electrician, foreman, and IBEW Board Member, highlights the importance of engaging students in the learning process. She says the camp gives them a chance to explore different possibilities.
“This camp gives them an opportunity like, ‘Hey, I really like that’ or ‘No, you know what, that’s not for me.’ That’s what this camp is about,” Burke said.
She explains that the goal is to get students engaged and to help them understand what the trade is like. For some, it might be the right path, while others may discover they enjoy the hands-on work and the sense of accomplishment that comes with building something themselves.
Burke adds, “For some people this might be what they want to do, for other people, they’re like, yeah, I like the hands on, I like the feeling the sense of accomplishment. Yes, I built that, and that’s how these young fellas are going to feel when they get done. That whole trailer out there is going to be all built by them.”
Addressing Labor Shortages in the Construction Industry
The Heavy Metal Summer Experience was founded in California in 2021 to address the growing labor shortage in the construction industry. With many workers retiring and a shrinking workforce, the need for skilled tradespeople is more critical than ever.
For apprenticeship training coordinators like Van Hook and Anderson, the program is a valuable addition to their recruitment efforts. It provides a structured way to introduce young people to the trades and inspire them to consider careers that offer stability, good pay, and long-term growth.
By offering students a firsthand look at the opportunities available in the electrical trade, the HMSE program is helping to shape the next generation of skilled workers. It’s a powerful reminder that success can come in many forms—and that the path to a fulfilling career doesn’t always require a traditional college degree.
