Son learns carpentry at Riley Construction, joins superintendent father

Like any trade that has been around for a long time, construction can be passed down through generations and apprenticeships.

The same can be said for Michael Wixom and his son, Brodey, of Janesville, who both work for Kenosha-based Riley Construction. Brodey recently started his construction career at 21 years old with a pre-apprenticeship, while Michael has been a superintendent for more than 30 years.

In the first quarter of 2024, Generation Z (24 and older) made up 18% of the general workforce, surpassing Baby Boomers at 15%, data from the U.S. Department of Labor showed.

While each young person has their own reason to enter the trades, those between 18 and 25 made up nearly 25% of new hires in the skilled trade industries, reported Gusto, a national human resources software firm.

While the two don’t work directly side by side, Brodey said he has already learned much from his colleagues on job sites working on tenant improvements for speculative buildings in Madison.

“I’ve been a pre-apprentice carpenter for a little over two months now,” Brodey said. “If I mess up, (my coworkers) will give me some pointers to help me out. They’re positive dudes and they don’t blow up on me if I make a mistake,” he added.

“(The coworkers) are being helpful, but that’s what the apprenticeship is about is nurturing these young men into polished carpenters when they’re done,” Michael noted.

The young carpenter said he’d been interested in the trade because he watched his dad work as a superintendent and was always drawn to hands-on work.

“I’ve visited the job site at a young age. … I hadn’t made the push to do it until now, but I was always interested,” Brodey noted.

The carpentry wage also makes for a family supporting job, Brodey noted. After getting married and thinking about having children, he said his trade will provide a career that can support his future family.

Michael said he was proud of his son and that the two were always close. In his younger days, Michael worked side by side with his father on the job site. While technology has changed, labor will always be part of the job, he noted.

“I’m excited to be on the job site with (Brodey),” he added.

In a few months, Brodey’s current progress will be judged, and he will learn whether he is picked to go to school for carpentry.

Riley Construction over the years has hosted several youth trades camp events at its headquarters in Kenosha. The summer camp draws in dozens of students from grades seven to nine to try power tools, simple carpentry, masonry and concrete finishing.