# You’re Not Who We Want Out Here: A Woman’s Reality in the Skilled Trades

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648/you-re-not-who-we-want-out-here-a-woman-s-reality-in-the-skilled-trades
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648/you-re-not-who-we-want-out-here-a-woman-s-reality-in-the-skilled-trades.md
Podcast: [The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648)
Published: 2026-01-13T22:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://the-lost-art-of-skilled-trades.captivate.fm/episode/from-military-to-plumber-inside-a-real-plumbing-apprenticeship-journey-with-valerie-butler
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/b2ffc265-684b-4488-a290-e4ddcf14a7c4.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648/episodes/you-re-not-who-we-want-out-here-a-woman-s-reality-in-the-skilled-trades
Duration seconds: 1653

## Resource

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. IN THIS EPISODE (00:01) – From Military to Trades Career: How Valerie transitioned from the Marine Corps into a plumbing apprenticeship (07:58) – Plumbing Apprenticeship 101: How to get hired, what first-year plumbers actually do (15:40) – Women in the Skilled Trades: Navigating job sites, skepticism, and earning respect (26:22) – Skilled Trades Mentorship: Why the right foreman changes everything (35:55) – Plumbing Career Path & Pay Progression: Apprentice wages vs journeyman income (47:30) – Advice for Gen Z & Career Changers: How to test trades careers without long-term risk Key Takeaways A plumbing apprenticeship provides paid education and long-term career security without student loan debt. Women in the skilled trades are reshaping construction culture through planning, leadership, and problem-solv…

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## Transcript

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