The smells, the destruction, the hopelessness — TV footage can’t accurately convey the agony after communities are torn apart by natural disasters, such as in Asheville, North Carolina, recently after Hurricane Helene.
After the floodwaters and the flood of coverage recede, residents are left to pick up the pieces (literally) and try to rebuild their lives. It’s truly difficult work. Floods ripped away infrastructure, leaving families without any normalcy. We rightly recognize emergency first responders for their work saving lives and providing relief for victims. They are heroes. But other heroes are needed to help rebuild communities. Pumpers and plumbers are on the front line of those efforts.
When you talk to teens about your work, don’t forget this.
Plumbing and pumping is quite literally the infrastructure of modern life. It’s a truth that often gets overlooked. Without it, we’d struggle with no running water at the tap, no flushing toilets, no hot showers. But it’s more serious than that. Proper plumbing prevents diseases and has saved countless lives in the modern world.
When you fix a leak or install a new system, you ensure that surgeons can scrub in for operations, students can stay hydrated throughout the school day and chefs can prepare meals safely. After disasters like Hurricane Helene, you help communities rebuild their lives.
You are unsung heroes doing daily work to keep society running smoothly. That’s just a straight fact, but one too often neglected.
Growing demand
And right now, our society needs more heroes like you. According to a recent Bloomberg report, the United States faces a critical shortage of plumbers. By 2027, it’s projected that we’ll be short 550,000 plumbers. This shortage isn’t just a problem for the industry. It’s costing the entire economy. In 2022 alone, the plumber deficit cost the U.S. economy about $33 billion, according to an analysis sponsored by bathroom-fittings maker Lixil.
These numbers underscore how essential your work is and how desperately we, all of us, need a new generation to embrace the profession. When you talk to young people about plumbing and drain cleaning, you’re not just offering them a potential career path, you’re also inviting them to be part of the solution to a nationwide challenge that impacts each of us.
This big-picture view is a powerful tool when talking to young people about the trade. It elevates the profession from “fixing pipes” to “sustaining our modern way of life” — which is far from hyperbole when facing an in-home catastrophe or a community-wide dilemma.
But how do you bridge the gap between this big-picture idealism and the practical day-to-day realities that might make a teenager hesitate to consider plumbing and drain cleaning as a career?
Common hangups
Many young people might see plumbing, pumping and drain cleaning as dirty work, physically demanding or lacking prestige compared to careers requiring a college degree. They might think it’s boring or doesn’t offer growth and innovation opportunities.
These perceptions are hurdles but also great opportunities to educate and inspire. When talking to a young person, try to see the profession through their eyes. What matters to them? What do they want from a career?
Many teens are idealistic. They want to make a difference in the world. That’s where the big-picture perspective comes in handy. Talk about disasters and the role of plumbers in rebuilding. Explain how your work directly impacts people’s lives. Share stories about the times you’ve solved problems for families in distress, or how you’ve helped businesses stay operational during crises. Make it personal and relatable.
Tech saavy
For the tech-savvy youth, highlight the cutting-edge aspects of modern plumbing. You’re not just working with wrenches. Talk about the advanced diagnostic tools you use, the computer-aided design in plumbing systems, or the integration of plumbing with smart home technology. Explain how the field constantly evolves, with new materials and techniques developed to improve efficiency and sustainability. Talk about how plumbing is at the forefront of water conservation efforts. You install low-flow fixtures, design efficient systems, and implement technologies for water recycling.
Another sticking point is the perception of plumbing and pumping as “dirty work.” Yes, the job can get messy sometimes. But so can surgery, which doesn’t stop people from becoming doctors. The key is to shift the focus from the occasional unpleasant task to the work’s overall impact. When you’re elbow-deep in a tough job, you’re not just fixing a pipe; you’re restoring a family’s quality of life or keeping a business operational.
Career paths and effective communication
Plumbing isn’t all about dealing with waste systems. A whole world of clean water systems, heating and even gas fitting falls under the plumbing umbrella. Many young people don’t understand the variety of work available in the field. Help them envision the full range of possibilities.
Teens also frequently fail to understand the career opportunities in the industry and how it offers a clear path for advancement. You start as an apprentice, learning the ropes from experienced professionals. Then you become a journeyman, taking on more responsibility and honing your skills. Eventually, you can become a master plumber, overseeing complex projects and mentoring the next generation.
Young people need to recognize how many plumbers and drain cleaners eventually start their own businesses, combining their technical skills with entrepreneurship. This can be a powerful draw for ambitious teens who dream of being their own boss someday.
Remind them that while their peers rack up student loan debt, apprentice plumbers earn while they learn. By the time college graduates start their careers, a plumber could be well-established, debt-free and possibly even owning a home.
Meet them where they are
How do you communicate all of this effectively to young people? It starts with meeting them where they are. Do you have someone on your team with a knack for social media engagement? If not, consider options for getting into that space. Short, engaging videos can highlight the problem-solving aspects of the job, the satisfaction of completing a project or the occasional humorous situation.
Perhaps the social media angle isn’t for you, but hopefully, you recognize that if you’re not already partnering with local schools for hands-on demonstrations or workshops, you’re missing a great recruiting opportunity. Let teens try their hand at simple plumbing tasks. The experience of working with tools and materials can be eye-opening for young people.
When you see talent and enthusiasm, reward it with your attention and your dollars. For instance, consider sponsoring talented local high schoolers who may be potential employees in trade competitions, such as SkillsUSA. If you help them develop confidence in competitions, they’ll remember what you did for years to come, and if they don’t join your staff, they’ll still be vocal advocates and guide peers your way — their parents, too.
When explaining plumbing to a curious teen, don’t just describe the task. Paint a picture of the impact. Instead of saying, “I installed a new water heater,” try, “I made sure a family of five could have hot showers and clean dishes, even on the coldest winter morning. Have you ever taken a cold shower on a winter morning?” Make it relatable to their everyday experiences.
Ultimately, before you talk to young people, develop your strategy for communicating the complete picture. Yes, there will be days of hard work and getting your hands dirty. But there’s also problem-solving, technology, customer service and the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a real difference in people’s lives.
When you talk to teens, go far beyond the pipes and wrenches. Tell them about the lives you’ve improved, the crises you’ve averted and your vital role in keeping the modern world functioning. Help them understand the impact plumbers have in communities after a disaster like Hurricane Helene. Show them that plumbing is more than just a job. It’s a calling, a craft and a crucial part of the future.
With the current shortage of plumbers, there’s never been a better time to answer that call. And, of course, thank you for answering that call. You should hear that regularly, not just in a crisis.
About the author
Anne Lackey is the co-founder of HireSmart Virtual Employees, a full-service HR firm helping others recruit, hire and train top global talent. Lackey and her husband, Mark, also run a nonprofit, HireSmart Cares, which focuses on providing young people with the tools they need to succeed in ag and trades-based professions. She can be reached at anne@hiresmartvirtualemployees.com.
