CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago-area Scouts BSA spent the day at the Plumber's Union Local 130 earning career merit badges.
"Today, we're putting them through basic welding techniques, but we are also teaching them about safety," said Frank Borkowski, Instructor.
Twenty-eight boys and girls are working with apprentices to learn about virtual and manual welding.
"This program evolved from something called 'Trading Tech' where we took the kids into different professional offices. We focused on professionals that could teach the kids their merit badge directly so they could see beyond the merit badge how much of the real world is involved in what they are learning," said Myriam Herrera, Development Director, Boy Scouts of America.
Herrera said it's all about exposing teens to real-world trade skills.
"I got an email from a mom saying could you please do more with the skilled trades. I can see that my son is not headed to college and I'd like for him to get a chance to sample a variety of trades. We continue to expose kids and get them more opportunities," Herrera said.
Borkowski said it's great to see "their eyes open up and do something they've never tried and to give them confidence."
So far the Scouts have earned merit badges in wood working and carpentry, business, law, and public speaking.