NEXT GENERATION Speaking with the Next Generation of Technicians


Many of our NARSA/IDEA members are family-owned businesses. After we learned some of our members sometimes involve their children at work, we wanted to ask them some questions. Here are their responses:


Cody Trammel, Age 12 RJR Radiator (Cincinnati, Ohio)


How old were you when you started working in the shop with your parents? I was 10 when I started working at the shop.


What kind of work do you get to do? I help with cleaning, scrapping, bolting together radiators, and learning about working on cars.


What is your favorite part about working in the shop? I enjoy working with my dad and grandpa, and I love making money! I make $10/hour.


What would you like to do when you grow up? I want to be an auto mechanic when I get older.


Dakoda Ewing, Age 15 Motor Mission Machine & Radiator (Las Vegas, Nevada)


How old were you when you started working in the shop with your family? 6 or 7 years old.


What kind of work do you get to do? I sandblast tanks, sweep floors, and disassemble/reassemble Mesabi Radiators from start to finish and everything in between. Driving/running the forklift. Learning the Rottler boring machine. Basically, I do everything that needs to get done.


What is your favorite part about working in the shop? Learning new things.


What would you like to do when you grow up? There are so many right now—Welder, Professional Barrel Racer.


Wyatt Trammel, Age 16 RJR Radiator (Cincinnati, Ohio)


How old were you when you started working in the shop with your parents? I was 12 when I started working at the shop.


What kind of work do you get to do? I clean and pressure wash, bolt together radiators, run pick up and delivery and help my dad work on cars sometimes.


What is your favorite part about working in the shop? Getting to work on cars with my dad.


What would you like to do when you grow up? I’m about to start my junior / senior years of high school at the local career center studying auto tech in hopes of going into the auto industry when I graduate.


Phoenix Tripp, Age 12 Southwest Radiator Shop (Little Rock, Arkansas)


How old were you when you started working in the shop with your parents? When I was 6 years old I helped my mom in the warehouse with small things like AC Condensers and cleaning.


What kind of work do you get to do? Straightening fins, painting, rolling solder, I’ve started practicing some soldering this summer. I also like to watch my Poppa weld, and I help pick-up, take out the trash and tear down scrap.


What is your favorite part about working in the shop? Getting to be with my Daddy. Listening to my Poppa be silly and being with my Dodi. I also enjoy getting to learn about soldering.


What would you like to do when you grow up? Welder, Game and Fish officer, law officer, or military. I love grilling and smoking, so I think it would be really cool to make grills and smokers for a living.


26 | THE COOLING JOURNAL | September/October 2021


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