Building Futures Grad Grateful for Entry into Construction Career

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Thomas Dreher is finishing his second week on the job and the first-year apprentice at Bowen Engineering loves it. “Just letting you know work is going well and that I am learning a lot working with a great foreman and a retired journeyman” read his newsflash from the field. Dreher (at right) graduated from the Building Futures program in June and was immediately accepted as a first-year apprentice at Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 891. A few weeks later he was called up for work when Jim Miller, Local 891’s Apprenticeship Director, secured a position for him with one of their signatory contractors and he had to report to work the very next day at the crack of dawn. “Thanks again to the whole Building Futures staff,” wrote Dreher. “People wanted to know how I got my position with Bowen, so I just gave them the Building Futures program info.” The Community Services Agency will be recruiting candidates from August 15 to September 15 for its fall class, while continuing to work hand-in-hand with leaders in the building and construction trades like Local 891’s Miller to connect graduates with apprenticeship and helper positions that jumpstart careers. Click here to download the Building Futures flier to spread the word. - report by Sylvia Casaro Dietert; photo of Dreher by Steven E. Purcell