National Park College (NPC) plumbing apprenticeship student, Colten Brady is making strides in his studies, driven by family inspiration. Originally from Phoenix, AZ, Brady graduated from Centerpoint High School in 2020.
Brady, an employee at City Plumbing, Heating and Electric, Inc., is set to graduate at the end of 2025. Brady said he appreciates NPC’s structured environment and the commitment of his instructors. He stated, “It’s the best option out of the other plumbing programs around. The instructors teach you and get you prepared for the journeyman’s test.”
Brady’s plumbing instructor, Zack Jones has been instrumental in his learning journey. Jones said, “Colten Brady is without a doubt one of my best students. He asks the hard questions and understands new topics very quickly. I have no doubt this young man has a bright future ahead of him. I look forward to seeing the great plumber this man will become.”
Brady noted his courses at NPC have significantly enhanced his knowledge and skills, preparing him for a successful career in plumbing. “It’s definitely made me more knowledgeable. I’m better at going through our code book and knowing our specific laws and regulations. It will get me to my master’s license and progress me further in my chosen life as a plumber,” he said.
Reflecting on his path to plumbing, Brady shared how his father’s background in construction and handyman work influenced his career choice. “My dad previously, before he was a police officer, did construction and he was a handyman. So, I had done so much handyman work and construction work with him just as a young kid that it was really the only thing I really knew,” he explained.
Despite initially pursuing a doctorate in history, the COVID-19 pandemic led him to reconsider and ultimately embrace a trade. “When I got out of high school, I had a full-ride scholarship to go get a doctorate in history, but it was that year that COVID hit and all the schools were having trouble with the computers. It just killed it for me. I took a trip to Arizona with my family and was just talking with my family and they said, ‘Well, try to do a trade. You like working with your hands. Do something with it,’” Brady explained.
Brady’s journey at NPC exemplifies the impact of quality education and dedicated mentorship in shaping successful careers. He added, “I enjoy being able to go into a customer’s house, assess a problem, fix it, and then leave knowing that I’ve helped them in some way.”
NPC offers apprenticeship programs in electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. Learn more about apprenticeship opportunities at np.edu/apprenticeship.