Student Spotlight: Joey Belanger

This article is the latest in a series in association with the Rhinelander Partners in Education.

It’s no secret that the demand for work in the trades in the Northwoods is never short. Joey Belanger picked up on this early on when he started working for Frasier’s Plumbing and Heating as a sophomore in high school.

His job as a student apprentice at Frasier’s started a foundation of knowledge upon which Belanger plans to build as he grows.

“Most of what I learned focused on water piping, plumbing and water heaters, but also on how to successfully grow your own business,” he said. “There is a lot of risk going into your own business; what I learned is most important at Frasier’s is customer service.” 

Experience with hands-on work gives Belanger an advantage, but the most valuable advantage he will take away from his experience as Frasier’s involves working with customers.

“Networking is easier in a small town, but you also have to remember that retaining customers comes from word of mouth,” he explained. 

While serving as an apprentice at Frasier’s, Belanger said he’s learned that “keeping work consistent is important for quality customer service.”

Belanger plans to take what he has learned in his time working at Frasier’s and apply it to his own business one day. 

The work apprenticeship program also teaches responsibility as he has to balance work, life and school. Learning how to fit in work, sports, and schoolwork helps promote skills needed to create a daily routine, which is extremely helpful for the minds of young adults who are still developing and refining different lifestyle habits. 

“I’m the kind of student that needs a break in my day, so getting to start off my day at work and come into school after makes the day a lot more manageable,” he explained.

The benefits of exploring activities that help create a balanced and enjoyable day will go far for Belanger and other students in the program. 

A great sense of independence is established while students explore their options and develop character that goes into being a quality employee. 

The extra time away from school focuses energy on collaborating with peers in the working world and the responsibilities that come with maintaining good work ethic and character.

“It really is a no-brainer, if you are thinking about taking the apprenticeship program. You do get to break up your school day and leave, which is great, but it gives me an advantage early on building my resume,” Belanger explained.

The program gives students credit for courses at school that connect with the work students do while working for local companies. In addition to this, students remain competitive when seeking out opportunities after high school and the skills learned on the job are an added bonus.

 “I can use them in my own home and help others out with small jobs,” Belanger noted.

Taking time to explore the opportunities in the trade field is very beneficial as Belanger enjoys hands-on training on the job. 

As he reflects on his experience in the field, he is able to determine the trajectory of his educational path so that one day he can establish his own business.

Belanger hopes to learn more outside the Rhinelander area when he pursues further education focused on how to run his own business.

His roots are clear in Rhinelander, and the experience learning from a successful business in the Northwoods will be something he takes with him wherever he goes.