Keon is a graduate of the Missouri Works Initiative’s very first Mid-Missouri Apprentice Ready Program cohort. “I had wanted to get into a union and learn more about them. I saw the program advertised online, so I signed up for it,” says Keon. “They were able to give me all the information I needed and help me get started.”
When asked about his favorite aspect of the Apprentice Ready Program, Keon shared that the opportunity to see the trades in action and meet union members really made an impression on him. “I liked how we got to visit different halls and sites,” he said. “We learned so much about all the different kinds of trades professions there are.”
Now that Keon has graduated, he is looking towards the future. “I got to apply to do something I like doing,” says Keon, “but I’m also looking forward to retiring one day with great benefits! I’m also OSHA certified and CPR/First Aid/AED certified as well.”
If you or someone you know is looking for a career that will last for the long haul, Keon encourages you to apply for the Missouri Works Apprentice Ready Program. “Do it!” Keon says. “It was amazing and you’ll learn a lot of things. It doesn’t hurt to try something new or to get more information about something you already know. There was a person named Doug Swanson who taught labor history to us and said that you should always want to know more!”
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png00Missouri Works Initiativehttps://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.pngMissouri Works Initiative2024-05-15 14:16:112025-04-01 22:09:17Keon’s Story: Missouri Works Initiative
As a veteran, Jacob was looking for a fulfilling new career that would meet his financial needs. “I heard about the Missouri Apprentice Ready Program (MAR) for the building trades from an ad on Facebook,” he shares. “My girlfriend and I were both browsing on our phones when she told me about a really cool-looking program for the building trades. She showed me the homepage for the Missouri AFL-CIO, which displayed the pictures of past classes and a few resources they provide their applicants.”
“I decided to apply, because I was tired of dead-end jobs,” says Jacob. “I was tired of working hard for a temporary job that wouldn’t build me a career path. I realized that I was ready to start building a career to brighten the path to my future.”
Jacob thoroughly enjoyed his cohort experience and learned everything he needed to know to begin building a new career. “After going through the program, I realized that I enjoyed the small class feel of the group,” says Jacob. “It made digesting material easier, and it allowed for open-floor discussions. This made it very simple to ask questions freely. I also enjoyed getting to familiarize myself with the trades we saw, many of which I did not know existed or knew little about.”
After graduating, Jacob has settled in his ideal apprenticeship. “Since graduation, I have become an apprentice with the Local Carpenters Union here in Springfield, an honor I never dreamed of holding,” he says. “I have worked on a number of job sites in and around the Springfield area. I am currently employed with Zickel Flooring and plan to continue to build my career. Beyond the apprenticeship, I have been able to sustain myself and even grow financially as well as intellectually.”
“If someone were to ask me about joining the Missouri Apprentice Ready Program, I would highly recommend it. I’ve been able to change the trajectory of my life because of the resources provided to me by the Missouri AFL-CIO,” shares Jacob. “They will do everything in their power to help you succeed. If this is something you want–a career in the building trades–then this is a great path.”
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png00Missouri Works Initiativehttps://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.pngMissouri Works Initiative2024-05-15 14:15:282025-04-01 22:09:50Jacob’s Story: Missouri Works Initiative
When Kansas City Apprentice Ready Program graduates Whitney Leaming and Esbeydi Villalobos first heard about the Missouri Works Initiative, the new friends were seeking a brighter future for themselves and their children. Both were residents of Amethyst Place, which provides transitional housing and support for women and their children while the women are in recovery from substance use disorder. When Amethyst Place began an expansion project, Whitney and Esbeydi met Kansas City Program Coordinator Rudy Chavez.
The women of Amethyst Place consider themselves sisters, and for Whitney and Esbeydi, joining the Missouri Apprentice Ready (MAR) Program not only provided the opportunity to give back to the place that had given them a fresh start but also helped them each create a foundation for sustainable careers. “I had already had ideas on wanting to be in construction – I just didn’t know what part or what union or how it worked. I really had no idea or information on any of it,” says Whitney. “While listening to Rudy, something just clicked, and I knew I wanted to help build Amethyst Place and become a part of the unions.”
For Esbeydi, who had just gotten her GED, the MAR Program was exactly what she sought. “I wasn’t interested in going to college. I wanted a career path that would pay me to learn a skill set,” she says. “I really liked that the program let us visit all the trades. We got to learn what they do and what they have to offer and try it hands-on for ourselves. That was the most fun!”
Since completing the program, life has drastically changed for the better for both Whitney and Esbeydi. “ Before I started with the laborers union Local 264, I was on government assistance,” says Whitney. “Now I am fully self-supporting. I can afford to pay for my daughter’s child care and all the food for myself and my family. I even have health insurance through the Laborers. I do not need government assistance, which gives me all the confidence in the world that I can support my family as a single mother.” Esbeydi is now part of the local 124, The Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. “I am a pre-apprentice working and learning to be an electrician, and I love it. My kids are watching me grow, which makes me so happy. This program helped me find a career where I enjoy working because I want to learn. I am very thankful.”
If you are curious about the trades and looking for a sustainable, life-changing career, Esbeydi and Whitney encourage you to find out more and take a chance. “If you’re considering doing the program, do it,” encourages Esbeydi. “It will change your life like it changed mine. You will be so happy you did!”
“I would absolutely encourage you to try it out,” says Whitney. “The worst case scenario is you get $500 for doing the program, and you get to learn about all these different careers and life paths you can take. The world is doing nothing but getting more expensive, and the Union definitely lives up to the idea of taking care of its people,” she says. “Also, you get to earn while you learn. Even with zero experience, you can make money just starting because the union has standards on how much somebody should make based on their work, not the color of your skin or whether you’re male or female.”
https://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.png00Missouri Works Initiativehttps://moworksinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/missouri-works-initiative-logo-new-1-300x222.pngMissouri Works Initiative2024-03-21 19:30:592025-04-01 22:11:14Sisters in Recovery, Whitney and Esbeydi’s Story: Missouri Works Initiative
Struggling to find gainful employment after his incarceration, Sammy heard about the Apprentice Ready Program, called Building Union Diversity (BUD) in St. Louis, from his pastor. “I was convicted of a felony,” Sammy shares. “When I got out of prison, I had difficulty finding good work.” Sammy, a father of five children ranging in age from toddler to teenager, worked two jobs but wasn’t earning enough. He was in desperate need of a sustainable career that would make it possible for him to support his family.
The Missouri Works Initiative’s BUD program was the solution Sammy sought. The 6-week program provided him with education on the unions, a bus pass, a weekly stipend, and a hands-on introduction to all the trades. “They took a chance on me and allowed me to change my life. Joining the BUD Program is the best decision I’ve made,” says Sammy. “I graduated from the program on a Thursday and started work the next Tuesday.”
Sammy is now a laborer with Bommarito Construction and a member of Local 110. “I didn’t have to do it alone,” says Sammy. “I had a great mentor named Rodney Griffin with Local 110. I’ve been in the field for six years now, and I’m able to be a mentor to new students. I share my experiences and help students understand the simple rules and etiquette of the work site, like the importance of being on time and staying off your cell phone. It’s great to help someone else succeed and build a new life.”
If you have experienced incarceration and feel like you’re facing an uphill battle in securing a sustainable career, Sammy wants you to know that you have options. “It can be better,” he says. “ I had friends on probation who are electricians now. If you’ve got someone willing to provide you with the opportunity to be successful, you should take it! The BUD Program did that for me.”
“I used to have a job, but now I have a career. You can have one, too,” says Sammy. “Go be a carpenter or electrician or ironworker. They can provide you with the best possible career in the trades. Making $45-50 an hour is some real motivation. The BUD Program trains you for free in five weeks. You’ll have a career. You just have to apply yourself.”
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Riley was looking for a more fulfilling career and had been thinking about pursuing a trade, though she wasn’t sure which one would be the best fit for her. “I was looking at the Missouri Works Initiative’s website and saw their recommendation of the program in St. Louis for women interested in the construction trades,” shares Riley. “I thought the program would help expose me to all my options and help me make an educated decision.”
Throughout the program, Riley got all the information and support she needed to make the best career choice. “I valued how much Aurora and the many guest speakers shared their experiences and advice on succeeding in this industry. I think the amount of information and training we received also made me more qualified and confident to start an apprenticeship,” says Riley. “Being able to visit different job sites and trade school locations helped me visualize and balance my interest in each trade. But I think most importantly, because of the program, I gained connections to people who are rooting for my success as a tradeswoman.”
Now, Riley is thriving in a satisfying and sustainable career as an apprentice with Mid-America’s Carpenter’s Regional Council Local 92. “I now have a career that I enjoy, and I feel a deeper sense of purpose,” Riley says. “I don’t think I would have had the motivating force to pursue carpentry on my own, considering I didn’t have any connections to Union tradespeople nor the level of confidence and knowledge that the program encouraged. At the end of the day, I have a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, and I am also the strongest and in the best physical condition of my life.”
Are you a woman interested in a career in the trades but need help figuring out where to start? You can find the answers and directions, just like Riley did. “Whatever your situation may be, I believe everyone has something to gain from the program,” says Riley. “You will have to be respectful of yourself, show up, and be ready to work the program, but six weeks isn’t that long of a commitment considering the time in the Apprentice Ready Program in St. Louis will set you up for a career that may positively impact the rest of your life.”
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James was always curious about the trades, but wasn’t familiar with how to become an apprentice. “I had always thought you had to have a relative get you in,” says James, who was having trouble finding sustainable employment. “But, one day I was at a baby shower at the YMCA and saw a flier on the wall. I reached out, had an interview, followed up and got into the cohort.”
The diversity of the program really impressed James. Having the opportunity to familiarize yourself with each trade before making a decision really helped me make a confident choice. “I like that it teaches you about all 13 trades, you get to visit most union halls and talk with apprentice instructors, try a little dry wall, brick laying, virtual welding – it’s really hands-on. They help you prepare for the math aptitude test, provide interview training, and explain what to expect at the job site. They walk you through the unique culture and etiquette of the trades – how to conduct yourself professionally.”
After graduating the MWI’s Apprentice Ready Program, James is now an apprentice with the Sheet Metal Workers, and he couldn’t be happier. “I love it! It’s something that I look forward to every day,” James shares. “It doesn’t feel like work. It’s practical and easy to understand. The more you get into it and repeat the work, you just get better at it. I walked in really green, without much construction experience, but none of the workers gave me a hard time. As long as you show up eager to learn, they don’t judge you for that. It’s been great. I love it.”
Looking to the future, James is enjoying more stability, more money, and is looking forward to his future. “I’m able to provide insurance for my daughter and myself. I’m also engaged, so I’m looking forward to being able to provide insurance for my entire family,” he says. “It gives me so much to look forward to. Working with the journeymen gives me an idea of what my life will be like if I stick with it. They encourage me and tell me how much I can make. I’ve been committed to other things longer with less to show. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is a lot of motivation.”
If you are curious about the trades and are looking for a reliable, life-changing career, James wants to encourage you to take that first step. “If you are looking for a career that’s going to increase your income – as long as you’re ready to show up on time for the rest of your life, this is something you need to get into. If you’re ready to commit, sign up already!”
Jihu Yin recently immigrated to the United States in pursuit of better opportunities for building a brighter future. As English is not his first language, he began taking English classes at Fern Ridge ESL school, where his employment consultant recommended the Missouri Works Initiative’s Apprentice Ready Program to him.
“Because my work background is related to equipment, I decided to apply,” says Jihu. “I really enjoy the diversity. My mentor, Aurora, has encouraged us to practice almost all trades, and through practice, each of us can find the direction we hope to pursue. Moreover, the apprenticeship system provides every one of us with the opportunity to learn and progress. As our skills improve, our wages will increase, and each of us in the program can see hope for our future.”
After completing the program, Jihu has become an apprentice with Plumbers and Pipfitters 562. “Through this project, it can be said that my career choice in life has been ultimately determined. I have not only improved my professional skills, but my language skills have also been improved by interacting with my colleagues day by day, and I am very grateful for their patience. Secondly, I have a normal income, my credit is constantly improving, and I am proud to have a tax record. I was also able to take out a loan to buy an apartment, which are all benefits this project has brought me.”
If you are also new to the United States, Jihu encourages you to explore career opportunities with the Unions through the Missouri Works Initiative Program. “I want to say to others who are considering this project, don’t hesitate. This union is a warm family. After joining this project, your life will become more stable and your personal rights as an employee will be protected through your union and union representatives. As long as we work hard, each of us will have a decent life. At the same time, we will also contribute our own strength to the entire society through the union.”
After completing her military service, Kaylah struggled to find sustainable employment. She was tired of having limiting jobs that she didn’t see herself staying in for the long term. “I heard about the Missouri Works Initiative’s Apprentice Ready Program in St. Louis through my aunt who knew I was looking for a career in the trades. She mentioned a job fair that the program was going to be a part of,” says Kaylah.
“I love the diversity of this program and its ability to give individuals opportunities that they may not have known about before joining,” Kaylah shares. “This program has changed my life tremendously. I had just finished my military mobilization in Fort Bliss, Texas and arrived back home. Despite my service, I could not find a decent job for myself. After joining the MWI’s Apprentice Ready Program in St. Louis, all of that has changed for the better.”
Now, Kaylah is enjoying financial stability in a highly specialized field. After graduation, Kaylah joined the Elevator’s Local Union #3, which is one of the most difficult apprenticeship programs to enter. “The door this program opened for me has not only helped me financially, but mentally as well. I now have the career that is right for me,” says Kaylah.
If you are looking for a sustainable, rewarding career, Kaylah encourages you to consider the MWI’s Apprentice Ready Program and a union apprenticeship in the trades. “I would say do it! Not a lot of people know about the Apprentice Ready Program in St. Louis, but if there were a lot more people who knew, it would be life changing for many.”
After serving in the United States Army and recently coming off of active duty, Ryan began the search for a new career. “I was scrolling social media, and a post for the Missouri Works Initiative’s Apprentice Ready Program popped up on Facebook. I had always been fascinated by building and woodworking and had a desire to learn more about it, so I knew I wanted to eventually join the Carpenter’s Union,” says Ryan.
Impressed by the hands-on experiences and helpful perks like a $150 tool allotment, two pairs of Carhartt jeans, and a pair of high quality boots, Ryan was sold on the program. “I really like that it’s hands-on. When we visited the union halls, they had building projects set up for us that let us experience a bit of what it would be like to work in different fields. The Union business agents came in and explained more about the unions and professors came in and explained the history of the unions and why union workers are desirable, sought out professionals.”
After graduating the program, Ryan has been placed with Carpenters 945 and Carson Mitchell Construction. “My life has changed so much for the better,” Ryan shares. “I have so much less stress. I love being an apprentice with the Carpenter’s union – I absolutely love it. It’s fun to learn more about what you’re doing, and I’m setting personal goals. I want to reach superintendent level, and the education and resources that are available to me now will help me get there.”
Ryan highly recommends the MWI’s Missouri Apprentice Ready Program to anyone looking for a new career – especially men and women coming out of the Armed Forces. “I absolutely recommend the Missouri Works program to anyone looking for a good career. Not only do they pay you a weekly stipend, but getting your OSHA, TAN, and CPR certifications knocked out sets you up for a great future!”
“Our role is to help with up front needs assessment and to assist students throughout their classroom experience by helping them overcome any barriers that would prevent their participation,” says Greg. “ We connect them with hotel rooms, transportation, or other resources in our community that they need. We want everyone who starts the program to finish the program because we think it’s a game changer.”
Missouri Apprentice Ready helps build community ownership by changing lives with sustainable career opportunities, which aligns with United Way’s upstream focus of helping individuals overcome the barriers to self sufficiency. “I have personally seen lives changed because of the Missouri Apprentice Ready program. Individuals go from living in cars or couch surfing to financial independence, and we think that is amazing,” says Greg. We help with housing, transportation, food insecurity, and whatever is necessary to keep them in class.”
One of Greg’s favorite moments in the program is graduation. “That’s when you see it all come together. Friends and family come to the ceremony to celebrate students and what they’ve accomplished. The trades are there too–not only to celebrate, but to offer jobs. These are the goosebump moments because you have people who have gone through the program showing what they can do, and the labor trades are pitching them job offers. Sometimes graduates have multiple offers to choose from when a few weeks before, they had no stable job prospects,” says Greg. “They are quickly in a position to have a level of ownership in their community and help spread hope to others, coming full circle. Helping your neighbor weaves a tighter social fabric that benefits everyone.”
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