Carmelo Castle, an 18-year-old African American graduate from Woodville, Texas, is making history as the first high school student in the state to complete a plumbing program and pass the state licensing exam, allowing him to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Now working as a second-year tradesman for Local 68 Plumbing, Castle’s success represents a major milestone for both him and the district’s growing career and technical education initiatives.

According to CBS 19, the plumbing program at Woodville High School, which began just four years ago, offers students hands-on training in a dedicated shop and a direct path to certification. Castle’s commitment to the program distinguished him from many of his peers. “While other teenagers were out partying, I had to separate myself and focus,” he said.

Thanks to the program’s practical training, Castle’s shift from student to professional plumber was smooth. “I was already used to the work by the time I got there. It didn’t feel like a big change,” he shared.

Instructor John Bunker, who leads the plumbing program, emphasized its value. “They get real-world experience here. If they pass the tradesman exam, they walk out of high school with a license in hand,” Bunker explained. The shop area at the school is equipped specifically for the plumbing class, helping students prepare for the industry’s demands.

The program addresses a growing need in the Gulf Coast region, where the plumbing workforce is aging. “The average licensed plumber is 43, and apprentices are around 37. We need young talent like Carmelo to fill that gap,” Bunker added.

Castle sees his journey as a message to other students who may feel pressure to follow a traditional college path. “You can’t just go along with the crowd if it’s not going to take you anywhere,” he said. His story highlights the importance of alternative career routes in building a strong, s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed workforce for the future.

With the program’s continued growth, three more Woodville students are set to take the state plumbing exam in the coming school year, inspired by Castle’s trailblazing example.