Nextgen Trades

Did you know that a Roustabout is one of the best entry-level positions in the oil and gas industry?

Roustabouts perform a variety of essential tasks, including maintaining equipment, repairing pipelines, assisting operators, and keeping oilfield operations running safely and efficiently. It’s hard work, but it can be the first step toward an incredible career.

As you can see in this career ladder, a motivated worker can advance from Roustabout to Lead Operator, Foreman, Superintendent, and even Operations Manager, with opportunities to earn well into six figures along the way.

At NextGen Trades, we’re helping students discover careers like these by connecting them with industry professionals, training opportunities, and employers looking for the next generation of skilled workers. Many young people don’t realize the opportunities available in the trades, and we’re proud to help them find a path to a rewarding career without taking on massive college debt.

The trades aren’t just jobs—they’re careers with unlimited potential.

Congratulations to NextGen Trades student Garret on graduating from Cypress Woods High School in Cy-Fair ISD!

Graduation is a huge milestone, but it’s only the beginning. As Garret takes the next step into the workforce, we’re excited to help him launch his career in welding. Skilled welders are in high demand, and with hard work, dedication, and the right opportunities, the future is bright.

We’re proud to be part of Garret’s journey and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in the trades!

💰 THE POWER OF STARTING EARLIER 💰

One of the biggest advantages of the skilled trades isn’t just what you earn. It’s when you start earning.

In this example, we compared two paths:

🎓 A college graduate who enters the workforce at age 22

🔧 A skilled trades professional who starts earning, gaining experience, and investing at age 18

Assuming each person saves just 5% of their income and earns an average 7% annual return on those investments, the difference over time becomes remarkable.

By age 48:

🎓 College Graduate
• ~$550,000 invested

🔧 Skilled Trades Professional
• ~$830,000 invested

That’s a difference of approximately $280,000.

The lesson isn’t that one path is right and the other is wrong. Both can lead to successful and rewarding careers.

The lesson is that time matters.

Starting your career earlier means:
✅ More years of earning
✅ More years of experience
✅ More years of investing
✅ More time for compound growth to work for you

The decisions you make today can impact the next 30 years of your life. That’s why we’re passionate about helping students understand all of their options and choose the path that’s right for them.

What would you do with an extra $280,000?

🎓 College or Trades?

For decades, students have been told that college is the only path to success. The truth is that there are multiple paths to a great career, financial stability, and a bright future.

Take a look at what the first five years after high school can look like.

Many skilled trades professionals are earning while they learn, gaining real-world experience from day one, and building careers with little to no student debt. By age 23, they may already have five years of experience, a strong professional network, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cumulative earnings.

This isn’t about saying one path is better than the other. It’s about making sure students know all of their options and choosing the path that best fits their goals, talents, and interests.

Success doesn’t come from following one specific route. It comes from finding the path that’s right for you.

Extremely happy to be a part of this big news for the Flipping The Barrel Summer Tee Off!

We’re proud to partner for this year’s tournament at BlackHorse Golf Club on June 25, 2026.

Nextgen Trades is doing incredible work introducing students to the world of skilled trades and the opportunities that exist across energy, industrial, and technical industries. From visiting schools and helping students build resumes, to educating young people on real career paths in the trades, they are creating awareness and access at an early stage that can truly change lives.

At Flipping The Barrel, we believe the future of our industry depends on investing in the next generation and showing students the incredible careers available beyond the traditional path. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of building connections, creating opportunity, and strengthening the future workforce.

This tournament is about more than golf. It’s about impact. Mentorship. Workforce development. And bringing industry leaders together to support the future of energy.
change for the next generation.

⛳ FTB Summer Tee Off 2026
📍 BlackHorse Golf Club
📅 June 25, 2026

Interested in supporting the event or becoming a sponsor?
We’d love to connect. We only have 3 TEAMS LEFT!!!!

The end of a student’s high school career is one of the most meaningful milestones they’ll ever experience. It’s a time when they begin looking toward the future, making important decisions, and taking their first steps into the real world.

That’s why we love what we do.

For students who aren’t sure what path to take, have questions about their future, or are ready to start their careers but need guidance and direction, we’re here to help. We provide the tools, training, mentorship, and support they need to build successful careers in the trades and develop the habits that will help them succeed in life.

To all the students who are graduating right now, congratulations on this huge accomplishment.