You can make to the top of the business world through the trades. Dave Tzimenatos of McKenney's is living proof. Much is made about the decision to either "go to college" or learn a skill or trade and get a job, as if learning a skill or trade stops there. Not true. The union trades provide a path to upper management, business ownership, entrepreneurship just as any college would. They only thing it DOESN'T cost you is tuition debt. That doesn't get talked about enough.

Mechanical Contractors in Georgia do important, highly skilled work that makes a difference, and they need good people. There are hundreds of stories of people just like you that utilize the apprenticeship track to jump start a career in a field that is booming with opportunity.

On today's Talkin' Trades, we talk to Dave Tzimenatos, Field Operations Manager of McKenney's and Andy Sumpter, EVP of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia about their path. Dave came through the SMART Local 85 apprenticeship track as a sheet metal worker and is proof positive that you can work your way up, provide for a large family (Dave has 7 kids!) go as far as you want in the mechanical trades through union apprenticeship and membership.

Through the apprenticeship track of either SMART Local 85 (Sheet Metal) or UA72 (Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, HVAC Tech), you can go as far as you want in the business world and it won't cost you a dime in tuition. Both trade unions have state-of-the-art training facilities with industry leading instructors who will teach you everything you need to know. And the Mechanical Contractors Association has dozens of employers who can put you on your path to on-the-job training the very first day you sign up. With guaranteed raises each year, and an opportunity to turn out as a certified journeyman, it's the best opportunity going. Where you take it from there is up to you!