How Niki Brown Found Her Calling as a Tradesperson

For Niki Brown, the path to becoming a skilled welder and pipefitter apprentice has been one of self-discovery, determination, and artistry. Although Niki earned a bachelor's degree in child development and began her career in retail, she longed for a more hands-on profession. This realization sparked a career change into the construction trades, where she has not only mastered her craft, but also become an advocate for greater visibility and representation of women, especially women of color. 

Recently featured in USA Today's Black History Month Special Edition, Niki's story is a powerful testament to how courage and support can make career changes less daunting.  

Becoming a tradesperson 

After feeling stagnant in retail, Niki joined Rising Sun's Women Building the Bay program, which is designed specifically for women to explore different trades. This program pays pre-apprentices to learn construction skills, covering everything from framing principles to mathematics and offering field trips to local jobsites. 

"I've always been interested in working with my hands and spent a lot of time in the farming communities, building garden beds, barns, and different structures," Niki shared. 

Through the program, she discovered Local Union 342 and became interested in the diverse pathways it offered, including pipefitting, steamfitting, welding, plumbing, HVAC, and detailing. 

Niki began her career at Southland as a first-year apprentice three years ago. "All of the individuals and management here have been supportive and helpful navigating my experience in this industry," she reflected. 

Now a fourth-year welder and steamfitter apprentice working in our Union City fabrication shop, Niki's daily responsibilities vary. "I feel as though I get a pretty good variety of work here, from building skids, reading prints, cutting pipes, fit ups, and welding," she explained.  

Advocating for women in the trades 

As her career has progressed, Niki has become a vocal advocate for increasing visibility and representation for women in construction.  

"Being woman in the trades is rare," she acknowledged. "But being a black woman of color in the trades is even more rare. My hope is that one day it will not be so rare to see another woman on the jobsite and in the trades."  

As we celebrate Black History Month, Niki reflects on what it means to her. 

"For me, Black History Month means to honor those that have come before me and made it possible for me to be here today. I want to inspire the woman that will come after me and continue building visibility of woman in the trades," Niki said.