黑料福利社 (NPC) plumbing apprenticeship student Calob Roberts is gaining practical experience and technical knowledge as he works toward a long鈥憈erm career in the skilled trades.
A Hot Springs resident, Roberts graduated from Fountain Lake High School in 2024. His interest in plumbing began during his teenage years after spending summers working for a local plumbing company. While his role at the time focused primarily on labor support, the experience introduced him to the trade and its potential as a career path.
鈥淚 worked at a plumbing company during the summer when I was 16 to 18 years old,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淚 was more of a laborer in those summers, but I enjoyed it and I saw the potential you could have becoming a plumber and that鈥檚 what drove me toward this career path.鈥�
Roberts enrolled in NPC鈥檚 Plumbing Apprenticeship Program, a structured four鈥憏ear program that combines classroom instruction with required jobsite training hours. Students progress through the program by completing a specified number of instructional and work hours before becoming eligible to test for journeyman licensure.
Now completing his first year in the program, Roberts said the classroom environment has helped clarify what he encounters daily in the field.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been great! I have learned a lot,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ince I started school last fall, I鈥檝e learned a lot of stuff that you learn in the classroom correlates to on the job. You get a lot more understanding once you see it in the classroom, then see it on the job and it kind of comes together.鈥�
Roberts currently works full-time for Rick鈥檚 Plumbing, allowing him to gain hands鈥憃n experience while advancing through his apprenticeship.
He credited his first鈥憏ear instructor, Mike Chesshir, with helping him develop essential skills early in the program.
鈥淢y instructor, Mike Chesshir, has been great,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淚 picked up isometric drawing quickly. He鈥檚 a good teacher and really knows his stuff.鈥�
Roberts also spoke positively about the support he has received from NPC鈥檚 apprenticeship staff, including Apprenticeship Coordinator Hannah Lammers.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e all been great and stay on top of everything,鈥� he said. 鈥淗annah has especially helped keep us on track with licensing. I appreciate everything they鈥檝e done for us this year.鈥�
Looking ahead, Roberts plans to continue his career in Hot Springs. His long鈥憈erm goals include earning his master plumber鈥檚 license and opening his own business locally.
For others considering the plumbing apprenticeship route, Roberts encouraged them to explore the opportunity.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity with a lot of potential,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can make good money and learn a valuable skill.鈥�
Through NPC鈥檚 Plumbing Apprenticeship Program, Roberts is combining education and experience to build a career in a high鈥慸emand field鈥攄emonstrating the role hands鈥憃n training plays in preparing students for long鈥憈erm success.
For more information about NPC鈥檚 Apprenticeship programs, visit np.edu/Apprenticeships.