Tell us about your journey into the Oregon Laborers, what made you choose to become a construction craft laborer apprentice?
I was a home care worker for my grandmother for about a year and a half. It was working out pretty well I basically got paid to be a good grandson helping my grandmother. Once she needed more intensive care I had to find another job. The son of the other home care worker that was helping my grandmother introduce me 2 the labor union. To be honest, when she told me what the starting pay was, which was about $5 more than my current hourly wage at the time, I was pretty much SOLD. I called the hall and got an interview which led to starting my apprenticeship about six weeks later. I haven’t looked back since.

How has being in the apprenticeship program impacted your life?
I’ve been able to care for my kids and stop doing drugs.

What advice would you give others who are interested in joining our program or are just starting out?
The apprenticeship is all about learning while you earn. Learning the ins and outs of a new trade is a marathon and not a sprint. You won’t know everything there is to know in the beginning, but three things start on DAY ONE that you can do, which DON’T require ANY special skills: 1)ARRIVE 30 minutes EARLY, 2)Have a good humble attitude ready to learn, and 3)Try your BEST no matter how hard or easy the task.