Living & Giving, The Family Legacy
Interview by Ashleigh Barnhart featuring Brad Barron
Brad Barron comes from a long line of tradesman. Being fourth generation, he’s had a lot of wonderful knowledge passed down and a natural niche for the work. He has gained a huge appreciation for the trades and the opportunities that lie within them from taking time to experience each trade personally at Barron Heating. After graduating from college, working as a civil engineer and transitioning into a leadership role at Barron, he’s learned a lot. Brad was gracious enough to sit down with me to share his insight, tips and tricks for first gen college students as well as students about to graduate high school without any plan yet or unaware of exciting possibilities out there.
Brad graduated from Squalicum High School in 2007 and went onto The University of Washington and completed the engineering program. Something unique about Brad, was that he was able to land an internship his senior year of high school, with a local engineer. He’d intern a few days a week after school and it completely solidified what he wanted to do and gave him the confidence for post high school plans. He got a BS in engineering with a focus in civil engineering. After working for seven years in the field, he circled back to the opportunity that lied within the family business. As a first-generation college student, Brad had the support from his parents to seek out a career that he would be passionate for. He was the first in his family to earn a degree from college. This was an exciting thing for him and his family alike, as his brother followed in his footsteps and took the college pathway as well, ultimately becoming a chiropractor. While in college, Brad was able to take advantage of some scholarships he had applied for to help fund his education.
When asked about what it meant to him to be a first gen college grad, Brad replied with a gracious heart for his supportive family. “When I was growing up my parents looked at college for me as an opportunity to do what I wanted to do. They always talked about that being something really important to them. They’d tell me ‘do what you’re passionate about. Find your talents. We want you to discover who you are, find what your passions are and activate your talents.’ They’ve always spoken to me in that way. I thought of it as what I was supposed to do to figure out my pathway and find myself. I approached college to find what I was passionate about, took numerous classes to find my direction and focus on what I needed. I feel very blessed I had that opportunity and that my parents encouraged me that way. I understand the privilege I came from in regard to opportunities I had, and also the motivation from my family.”
Any advice for a HS senior looking toward their future?
“Put some thought into and reflection and prayer into what your passions are and the things that drive you. Don’t be ashamed to pursue your path whatever the case may be. There are a lot of people who go to school and feel like they have to do something that a 4-year degree can activate for them and that’s not speaking into who they are all of the time. Not everyone’s a four-year person. There are a lot of other opportunities out there. Put actual thought and due diligence into what drives you, that’s important. Seek out mentors in your life, that are older, have gone through life and various experiences. Ask them what they did well what they wish they would’ve done. Get words of wisdom, whether that be from a big brother, foster parent, teacher, someone in the field or trade, doctor, or whoever. Find people that have been through challenging parts of life and talk to them about what that was like. It will give perspective about life and possibly not always being easy, but you can persevere and succeed if you put your mind to it and be passionate about it.”
Most Juniors and Seniors are thinking of post-high school plans and instantly think of college. This isn’t everyone’s desire though, yet they still go that path anyway. A huge lack of knowledge might be the culprit along with assumption of expectation from family or any other type of feeling. I’m here to tell you there’s MORE. There are things like jumping right into the workforce right after high school, which is wonderful! College or technical school are great opportunities! Military is another great choice for some! Last but not least, TRADES. Let’s talk about trades… not enough people know about them or have “an idea” of what they are or can provide. “A tradesman, skilled tradesman, skilled tradesperson or tradie refers to a worker who specializes in a particular occupation that requires work experience, on-the-job training, and often formal vocational education, but not a bachelor's degree.” (Wikipedia, 2020). Trades provide free on-the-job training, licensure and wonderful wages along with ample opportunity. This is a great option to take if you’d like to be debt free, simply because you won’t have student loans from taking this pathway. Too often, the trades are overlooked because they’re not a “coveted” degree. These take usually about 2-4 years depending on what licensure you’re going for, along with testing, knowledge of state RCW’s and WAC regulations.
Barron Heating offers exciting opportunities for learning a trade within their company. I’d like to introduce you to their newest addition, Barron Technical School. This is an amazing on-site opportunity that includes hands-on learning with equipment that provides various services to their customers. There’s classroom learning taught including financials (how to budget, etc.) as well as codes and regulations. The apprenticeship options include electrical, HVAC-refer tech, and plumbing. Brad Barron explained, “When it comes to community, awareness is huge and not enough time is given to the awareness of the trades.
There is a desperate need for more tradesmen and women because of the fact that a significant number of baby boomers are now retiring. For every 5 boomers retiring, one millennial or generation z are coming into the trades. There is a severe lack of trades people right now. I had a chance to identify a huge challenge and talked to John Barron and told him we need to do something that no one in the community is doing by taking a stand and trying to develop something that will enhance what already exists. There is BTC, but they turn out around 12-20 kids a year, which is not filling the trough completely and not overcoming the mathematical deficit we’re facing. My dad felt empowered through the school, he wanted to invest in paid apprenticeships, classroom learning, a lab facility, electrical lines, a generator and give a safe place for people to learn. The opportunity to be able to problem solve, work with managers not in someone’s home or business, while earning money and working/learning under a licensed journeyman, is pretty exciting.”
Not only is Barron Technical School a wonderful, free opportunity to advance into a career, but Barron also provides another great resource. The Dan L. Barron Trades Scholarship. Brad stated, “My Grandpa Dan founded Barron nearly fifty years ago with the goal to provide our community with quality service while supporting his employees with exceptional careers. To carry on his legacy, we’re on a mission to prove that a career in the skilled trades is a rewarding one. In his honor, the Barron Team has created the Dan L. Barron Trades Scholarship, which will provide opportunities to individuals looking to enter the HVAC, Electrical or Plumbing trades. Barron will provide two $5,000 scholarships to Bellingham Technical College: one to a current Barron employee or family member, and one to a community member.” Barron is on a mission to improve lives and not only those of families and their homes, but of those seeking further education as well.
Barron apprenticeship program:
The length of the program is typically 2 years for HVAC or electrical, plumbing is 3 years, then commercial is 1-2 years in addition to any trade chosen. You have the ability to become a lead in two years which means keys to your own truck and making great money (2 years post high school if started immediately upon graduation).
What the process of applying and interviewing looks like:
Apply to any position that has apprentice/tech school position on the title. Barron highly recommends for potential applicants to take a look at the core values page, because it’s important to Barron and they talk about it in the interview process. Brad stated that they’re looking for applicants that are “hungry, humble, people smart and passionate.” For “green” (new, never been in a trade) students, it’s nice to see them hungry to learn. Barron prides themselves on improving lives and being about family, so it’s important their employees uphold their standards as well.
There is typically a first interview (a meet n greet), where they’re getting to know the person and is pretty informal. They’ll talk, ask questions, get to know backgrounds, screening, identify passions and speak on talents. The second interview is with a member of the executive support team, which is someone that would be making hiring decision at that interview.
What the requirements are:
Barron gives basic tool bag needed for first year, which includes all of the tools they’d possibly need for their entire initial year. (How cool is that!) After they work for a year they get to keep those tools. Barron also pays for all of their trainee cards, pays for CEU’s (continuing education which is required to keep licensures up to date), and pays for their licensure (test reimbursement). At Barron, it is a comprehensive paid for apprenticeship. All they need for you to do, is just show up, work hard and uphold the Barron standards and attitude that they’ve shown to the community for many years. They also provide uniforms, Barron attire, company sponsored team events, and many other fun perks that is all taken care of by them. Barron prides themselves for being a family company and want the best for their employees and community as whole.
If you have questions about this opportunity we recommend you contact Debbie Gwaltney the HR Recruiter at (360) 676-1131 x112.
Or
Email: debbieg@barronheating.com
Website: https://www.barronheating.com/barron-technician-school/