Training Program Helps Turn Dreams Into Real Jobs
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Just a month
after completing the Building Futures training
program in May, Anthony Evans is now working
full time as a Plumber Helper for W.L. Gary
Mechanical Contractors. An exemplary student,
Evans had one of the highest math scores in the
Building Futures class – a GSA-funded program
of the Council’s Community Services Agency --
and won a “perfect attendance” award.
“Kudos to Anthony and also to Joe Short at
Plumbers Local 5,” said CSA Executive
Director Kathleen McKirchy. “Local 5 is one
of our partners at Building Futures, and worked
closely with CSA to help Anthony find work.”
Evans’ goal is to join the Plumbers’
apprenticeship program and become a career
tradesman. “Building Futures and its union
partners equipped Anthony with the skills and
support he needed to attain his career goals
but it’s Anthony who made it happen,” added
McKirchy. As soon as the plumbers assigned him
to a contractor, Anthony called Building
Futures and said “I got picked up! It was
hard but you guys helped me stay focused.”
McKirchy said that “Like us, Anthony still
believes in the American dream that says if we
go to school, work hard, and become productive
employees, we can then expect to support a
family, raise and educate our children, enjoy a
healthy and fulfilling life and retire with
dignity. This dream turns real and tangible
every time one of our clients gets back in the
workforce.”
- Sylvia
Casaro; photo by Jenna Gold