Malik Johnson didn’t set out to become a pipe fitter. He was just trying to keep his family afloat. His mom was sick, they were facing hard times, and he needed steady work.

He started with concrete labor. Then COVID hit, and the work dried up. He delivered food. He did odd jobs. And when the chance came to join an apprenticeship through Clayco’s Construction Career Development Initiative (CCDI), he took it.

Five years later, Malik’s earning $100,000+ a year. But that’s not the real story. The real story is how he kept showing up, learning, asking questions, leaning on mentors, and how the trades gave him a path that was his to build.

What I See When I Hear Malik’s Story

When I think about young people like Malik, it is so clear they’ve got grit, even if they don’t call it that. They’re ready to work, but they don’t always see the path.

That’s where CCDI steps in. We bring the trades into the classroom, not as a fallback, but as a real, respected career. We talk about what it takes — early mornings, steady hands, learning on the go — and let students picture themselves there.

From there, it’s about learning while earning. Safety training. Blueprint reading. Welding. Working alongside folks who’ve been at it for decades. And having someone in your corner, ready when you need a hand or advice.

Why It Matters

Education doesn’t only happen behind desks. It also happens in steel‑toed boots, before sunrise, learning to weld or read pipe schematics. And many young people are choosing that kind of education, seeing what Malik saw: a future you can start building now.

Even more importantly, once you learn a trade, it travels with you. You can move cities, join new crews, take on bigger projects. Your work fills your hands, your paychecks, and your sense of purpose.

Malik’s 3 Takeaways 

Malik says it best. He offers three simple lessons for anyone considering this path:

1. Know your why. Malik showed up every day because his family depended on him. Purpose keeps you moving even on the hard days.
2. Progression takes time. You don’t wake up a journeyman—you build toward it. But every day adds up.
3. Don’t let fear hold you back. Whether it’s new tools, new people, or a new jobsite—if you keep stepping forward, you’ll grow into the work.

The door is open. Step through and let’s hurry up every chance we get.