Cecelia thought about her future often. She had always planned on going to college but needed to make ends meet, so she began working as a pizza delivery driver. While thinking about her next steps, she heard about Building Strong Communities, a multi-craft apprenticeship readiness program that introduces people to building and construction trades.
After applying and being accepted to the Building Strong Communities program, she found that she liked the laborers union, “there is so much to learn, you never get bored,” Cecelia said. After becoming a laborer apprentice this summer Cecelia says “I’ve gained a lot of self-confidence being in the apprenticeship program. I am learning how to do my job and I’m good at it. As a laborer, I learn lots of different things. Once I’m done with my apprenticeship and become a journeyman, I’ll be very versatile.”
In the first few months of her apprenticeship, Cecelia was able to earn enough money to get her own apartment and begin saving money. “Besides a great income and learning how to do things, the apprenticeship program has given me a career and plan for life.”