News Summary
John Perkins Jr., an advocate for the skilled trades, has been awarded the 2025 Dave Bing Young Leader Award for his role in creating apprenticeship programs linking youth to carpentry and millwrighting careers. This honor is part of the Shining Light Awards, celebrating individuals making significant contributions in metropolitan Detroit. Perkins Jr.’s journey in carpentry, rooted in his family’s legacy, is marked by his efforts to inspire young individuals toward rewarding careers in the skilled trades, despite personal challenges in his early life.
Detroit – John Perkins Jr., a dedicated advocate for the skilled trades, has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Dave Bing Young Leader Award for his innovative work in creating apprenticeship programs aimed at connecting youth with careers in carpentry and millwrighting. This recognition is part of the annual Shining Light Awards, which celebrate outstanding individuals making a significant impact across metropolitan Detroit.
Perkins Jr.’s journey into the world of carpentry began early in his life, inspired by watching his father build homes in their east-side Detroit neighborhood. His father’s work was not just a job; it was a pathway to generational wealth for the family. Today, Perkins Jr. lives in the house his father built, signifying a deep-rooted connection to his family’s legacy and the craft of carpentry.
Currently, Perkins Jr. serves as a business representative for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. In this role, he dedicates himself to providing opportunities for young people interested in skilled trades by fostering connections with apprenticeship programs. Through his work, Perkins Jr. aims to expose youth to the viability of careers in carpentry, which he believes are often overlooked.
Despite his early exposure to carpentry, Perkins Jr. faced considerable challenges after his father’s untimely death when he was a teenager. As a young adult, he struggled to navigate the path into the trade, encountering barriers in finding apprenticeship programs. Perkins Jr. worked various jobs related to carpentry following high school, all while dreaming of a career in the field. Eventually, he found his footing by enrolling in an apprenticeship program in Ferndale, where he started building the foundation for his future.
The beginning of Perkins Jr.’s professional journey in carpentry was marked by his first job site at the Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit, where he contributed to the construction of the iconic venue. This experience affirmed his belief in the importance of skilled trades as valid and rewarding career paths for the youth in his community.
In addition to his work with apprenticeships, Perkins Jr. actively engages with students at his former high school, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, discussing the lucrative opportunities available in skilled trades. His efforts to educate and inspire the next generation extend beyond the classroom, as he also envisioned and implemented a local apprentice mentoring committee during a union leadership training session. This initiative has resulted in successful monthly meetings that have seen impressive attendance from students eager to learn more about their future careers.
Collaborating with Sachse Construction, Perkins Jr. played a vital role in founding the Sachse Construction Academy, an initiative designed to introduce students to various skilled trade opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic did not deter his efforts; he adapted by creating a virtual video series aimed at reaching students in local classrooms when in-person interaction was impossible.
Through his current role, Perkins Jr. is dedicated to connecting young individuals interested in becoming carpenters or millwrights with job opportunities that will help them realize their professional aspirations. He finds great fulfillment in the impact he has on students’ lives, witnessing their growth and determination as they pursue careers in skilled trades. His unwavering commitment to supporting young Michiganders is a driving force behind his recognition with the Dave Bing Young Leader Award.
As Perkins Jr. receives this honor, he continues to advocate for the value of skilled trades, seeking to inspire not only the youth of Detroit but also those who wish to support their success in the workforce. His story reflects both personal passion and a broader commitment to addressing the workforce challenges facing many young people today.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Trump Threatens to Redirect Federal Funding from Harvard
Detroit High School Students Engage in Construction Academy
Detroit Launches Tuition-Free Apprenticeship Programs
Ypsilanti Luncheon Highlights Michigan-Canada Economic Ties
Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press: John Perkins Jr. Helps Students Build Careers in Skilled Trades
- Wikipedia: Apprenticeship
- Click on Detroit: Free Program in Detroit Helps Future Carpenters Succeed
- Google Search: Skilled Trades Education
- Detroit News: Labor Voices – Job Corps Provides Skilled Training to At-Risk Youth
- Google Scholar: Skilled Trades Apprenticeship
- WXYZ: New Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center Opens in Detroit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Carpentry
- Fox 2 Detroit: Mass Timbers Growing Popularity in Michigan Spurs Training of Contractors to Meet Demand
- Google News: Skilled Trades Opportunities Detroit
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
