Meet the Community

Annisha Simpson is a 3rd year apprentice in Local 328. She’s working for New England Finish Systems, and at night she’s working towards earning an associate’s degree in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Prior to joining to Carpenters union, Simpson was going from job to job trying to stay afloat and says she was at the lowest point in her life when she came across the YouthBuildBoston program.

She decided to give it a try and found out she loved working with her hands. Two months after the completing the program, she joined the Carpenters union and as a 1st year apprentice, she helped build the Encore Casino in Boston.

“My life has changed drastically since becoming an apprentice. Earning a wage while learning all these skills and having all these great benefits is life-changing for me. For the first time, I have a savings account and I’m able to take great care of my younger brothers, too. It is all a blessing. I’m very humble of where I am today.”

Simpson says she has received so much support from her fellow brothers and sisters on the jobsite too and is very thankful for that. “I’ve gained a whole bunch of aunts and uncles who are helping me succeed every day.”

“The opportunities I have received since joining the Carpenters union are endless. I’m due to graduate next year from the program at Wentworth which is something I never thought I would be able to do. I’m learning all about estimating and blueprint right now, and it’s cool because it relates to what I do on the jobsite every day,” she said. “There are so many different avenues for growth here at the Carpenters union and I plan on growing a whole lot more!”