Page 37 - SKILLS Workforce Development Guide 2021

DAVID ROTUNDO JR. VICE PRESIDENT
Rotundo Plumbing Corp. Putnam Valley
Age: 33
Residence: Mahopac
Education: Farmingdale State College
What inspired you to pursue a career in the building trades?
It stemmed from my father working as a plumber. I admired my father’s work ethic and found his capabilities
to be very useful. As I was growing up, I enjoyed fixing and building anything
and everything. The feeling of overcoming a mechanical obstacle or challenge was, and still is, very rewarding. The building trades are the backbone of society and its functions. Everything you use either has been created or built by a tradesperson with pride, skill, and knowledge.
What are some of the benefits of an apprenticeship?
Being an apprentice allows you to learn a trade alongside a professional and to learn the correct methods — tricks — of that trade. During your apprenticeship, you will work with multiple professionals, which allows you to gain valuable knowledge and skills. Typically, each individual professional will show you various problem-solving skills and methods to eventually make you a well-rounded tradesperson.
Tell us about running your own business — the rewards and the work.
I work in commercial, medical, and residential plumbing. Managing a business has its pros and cons; between scheduling and fieldwork, everything you do needs to be methodical and well-planned, which is not always easy. But, when customers are grateful for your help and you see your own personal ideas come to fruition, it is a rewarding feeling. The ability to make your own schedule is a benefit as well, and just being involved and having an important role is gratifying. Also, knowing that all the hard work pays off, and provides and supplies our entire team with a livelihood to participate in society with confidence and pride.
What is a typical day like on the job?
From a managerial position, my typical day consists of organizing team members, strategizing project plans, and finance auditing. My favorite part of any workday is solving real-time mechanical issues for buildings or water systems.
Proudest accomplishment?
One of my proudest accomplishments is fulfilling my dream of having my work mean something that could benefit society.
JESS BALINT
COMMERCIAL UNION JOURNEYWOMAN CARPENTER Turner Construction (Self Perform Operations)
White Plains
Age: 34
Residence: New Windsor
Education: SUNY-Albany
What influenced your decision to work in the building trades?
I’ll be direct in answering that: I had a pretty difficult time finding a ‘traditional,’ well- paying job after I graduated college in 2010. The recession was challenging for working people of my generation. I was
driven by a need to get my life together, financially speaking, and I had an interest in carpentry. There were some very supportive people in my local union hall, as well as in my training center, which helped tremendously.
What are some of the benefits of an apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship offers class-time training, where you’re introduced to some of the concepts of what you are to do on the job, but working with a contractor is where you really begin to understand the day-to-day responsibilities, as well as the people and the culture.
What are some of the job benefits?
The financial stability of a good hourly wage and the benefits. Collective bargaining agreements and an incredible history of labor organizing efforts have ensured (for now) that union construction trade jobs are well-paid jobs for the people who do them every day. It’s hard work, but I feel privileged to have the opportunity.
Do you have advice for students considering a career in the trades?
When it comes to being successful, working in the trades
is about what you can do, as well as how hard you work. The skills don’t just fall in your lap, so you need to have a lot of faith that your day-in-day-out effort during the apprenticeship is going to pay off. That’s a really challenging and unique career experience. You have to practice many times over, for years even, before you become comfortable with the work.
Nowadays, a lot of people want instant gratification for their efforts, so it’s important we attract union-minded, hard-working folks who are open to learning and are a little comfortable with being uncomfortable because they can see a long-term reward.
Opposite page: Stephen Herbert, right, of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1 NY demonstrates masonry skills to Indiana Bencosme, 17, a senior at Sleepy Hollow High School during the 2019 Hudson Valley Construction Career Day expo at Rockland Community College in Suffern.
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© Courtesy of David Rotundo Jr.
© Courtesy of Jess Balint