Get to Know Gavin, Our First Construction Youth Apprentice

Gavin has been a fantastic Construction Youth Apprentice in his first four months with the Realistic Builders team. He is eager to learn, understand, and apply his carpentry skills to various stages of the building process for our client projects. During his short time with us, he has helped us complete our office remodel project, learned the ins and outs of the rough-in and trim processes on multiple projects, and gained a deeper understanding of the back-end of the business, including accounting, insurance, human resources, and marketing. Gavin is a valuable team member to our company, and we are thrilled to have him continue as part of our team, as well as the company’s first Construction Youth Apprentice, supported by the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development and his high school. We look forward to having Gavin finish his Construction Youth Apprentice requirements for the remainder of the school year before he graduates from Waterford Union High School in May 2026 and moves onward to the next chapter of his construction trades career!  

Read what Gavin has to say about his Realistic Builders experience.

“Over the past few months, I’ve been able to work on a variety of projects that have exposed me to many different aspects of the trade. I’ve helped with trim work around the office, installed siding on the front of the building, worked on some really cool tongue-and-groove ceilings, hauled and organized LOTS of materials, and recently dipped my toes into the electrical field. Each of these tasks has helped me build a stronger understanding of a job site. I feel like these experiences are setting a solid foundation for me to continue growing my skills and confidence in the field.

Right now, I’m really enjoying the electrical side of things, but I also really enjoy the craft of the trim work. So as of right now I’m pulled between those two trades in my future plans. I like the problem-solving aspect of the electrical side and the fine arts of the finish side, and how every task feels like I’m learning something new.

Working with the Realistic crew has been one of the biggest positives of this experience. Since day one, they’ve made me feel like part of the team and part of their family. Mike, my foreman, explains things clearly and takes the time to show me not just what to do, but why it’s done that way. Everyone is patient, encouraging, and willing to teach, which makes it easy to stay motivated and excited about coming to work every day.

My appreciation for Adam and Oliver is immense. Just like me, they’re stepping into new territory by bringing me on as their first youth apprentice, and they have supported me every step of the way. They continue to give me opportunities to learn and grow, and the trust they place in the work I do means a lot.

Overall, being connected with the Realistic crew has helped me decide that I’m in the right field, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with such a supportive team.”

Learn more about the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and their Youth Apprenticeship. 

A Youth Apprenticeship is a one or two year “earn while you learn” program for high school juniors and seniors consisting of work and related classroom instruction in a chosen occupation. Training is received on-the-job where the employer teaches the skills of the occupation. This is augmented by taking courses that are related to that occupation. No matter what the youth apprentice decides to do after high school, they will be more prepared for success because of their apprenticeship! Learn more about this enriching program here.

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