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In this episode of THE TRADE, Roger Wakefield sits down with Charles Goede, a third-year plumbing apprentice from Local 777 in Connecticut who is about to represent the United States in WorldSkills — in Shanghai, China. From discovering the trades in high school to working on massive projects like hospitals, laboratories, Yale University facilities, and even an indoor water park, Charles shares the journey that led him from a classroom shop rotation… all the way to the international plumbing arena. In this conversation: 

🔧 How trade school set him up for success

🔧 Why plumbing "just clicked"

🔧 Getting real-world experience through work-based learning at 16

🔧 His first plumbing jobs — boilers, gas lines, hydronics & more

🔧 What it's like working for a major mechanical contractor

🔧 Preparing to compete against the best plumbers in the world

🔧 Learning basic Mandarin & Cantonese for Shanghai

🔧 What the union has meant for his apprenticeship

Whether you're a tradesperson, an apprentice, a contractor, or someone thinking about a career in the skilled trades, this episode shows how far the trades can take you — even across the globe.

👷 Guest: Charles Goede — Apprentice, UA Local 777 (Connecticut), Team USA Competitor, WorldSkills Plumbing 🎙 Host: Roger Wakefield — The Trade

👍 If you believe in the trades, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share this episode!

#TheTrade #RogerWakefield #Plumbing #Tradesmen #SkilledTrades #Apprenticeship #WorldSkills #UnionStrong #BlueCollarProud #Local777