Page 38 - SKILLS Workforce Development Guide 2021

HECTOR AGUSTIN CARPENTER/JOURNEYMAN O’Kane Enterprises Ltd. Garnerville
Current work: Carpentry, fine-dining establishment at Hudson Yards
Age: 26
Residence: Greenwood Lake
Education: Rockland County BOCES
Tell us about your introduction to the building trades.
I actually never really thought about the trades as a career option. What sparked my interest was my experience at Rockland County BOCES during my senior year of high school. I took a carpentry
course and immediately fell in love with the trade. It’s hands-on work. Every job is different, with its own challenges to solve. I had an amazing teacher, Mr. Erik Kurz, who is the principal of the Career & Technical Education Center at BOCES now.
What was your apprenticeship experience?
The apprenticeship was definitely difficult and challenging but very rewarding. Being an apprentice taught me a lot of valuable life skills that still stick with me to this day. They instilled in us dedication, punctuality, and a good work
ethic. Working your way up the ladder as an apprentice was extremely rewarding.
Do you have advice for aspiring tradespeople?
Take the chance! It’s a very rewarding and amazing
field. You get back 100 percent of what you put in. Take it seriously and push yourself to learn as much as you can. The satisfaction you get when you build things with your own
two hands is like nothing else. Know the importance of this work. Everywhere people go, everywhere they work, and everywhere they live, those places are built by carpenters. The world would literally not be what it is without us. We literally built, and continue to build, this country.
Proudest accomplishment?
My proudest moment was probably being able to buy a house on my own at the age of 23. I worked a lot of extra hours and pushed myself to do it.
Long-term goal?
My long-term goal is to master the trade. I want to be the best at what I do.
MASON CANTAMESSA
LOCAL 1 BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFT WORKERS Hull Construction and Restoration
White Plains
Age: 27
Residence: Mahopac
Education: Westchester Community College
Tell us about your introduction to the trades.
What influenced me
to pursue my career in construction was the chance to see a new work environment every day and have the ability to go anywhere in the world and still be able to do my job and make a good living. Also,
it was the opportunity to physically ‘see’ and look back at the product of my work.
You also participated in an annual Hudson Valley Construction Career Day?
At that point, I was interested to see what the building trades had to offer. Just because I was born into a family
of bricklayers, that didn’t mean I had to do this for a living. I knew it was hard work and intensive to learn and become a tradesman, but I was willing to check it out and see what the benefits were.
How valuable is an apprenticeship?
Going through an apprenticeship is awesome. You’re able to learn every aspect of the trade from the bottom up. You learn the skill of how to use a trowel, because it’s not just a tool. Then you move on to learning standard codes and terms, how to apply CMU (construction masonry units) properly and the flashing systems along with it. Without learning these steps correctly, you could build something that looks beautiful but only lasts five years versus something that lasts a lifetime.
In addition to the schooling, I was also guaranteed a raise every six months as long as I completed my school hours and fieldwork hours accordingly.
Do you have advice for the new generation of tradespeople?
Really open your eyes and look into these unions and trades, because the benefits are great and work is in high demand. I have zero debt from school loans and I’m making just as much as most people coming out of college who still have to pay back that money. It’s an opportunity to learn while making money, and you will always have those skills to fall back on if you lose your job or decide to change your career down the road.
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