News

A year ago, Damian Bell from Sweeney Drywall recognized that many of the company’s experienced union carpenters were approaching retirement age and wanted to do something about it. To ensure continued success of the company, he wanted the skill and knowledge they held to be passed along to future leaders.

An internal mentoring program, backed by training from the North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund was what he envisioned. He felt it would help accelerate the learning of younger carpenters and would not only improve their career options, but it would also benefit the company and their clients.

Bell worked with NASCTF Executive Director Tom Fischer to initiate a program and recruit 28 company apprentices to participate. Using the training facility in Millbury and Sweeney’s space in Boxborough, Mass., apprentices received advanced training on installation of HM frames, welded frames, shaftwall, soffit framing and layout.

Sweeney’s foremen volunteered to teach on weekends, accelerating the training while also mentoring and building camaraderie within the company.

Mike Rakoski, a Local 326 member who started in the program as an apprentice and has graduated to journey-level carpenter said, “This program has given all of us the vote of confidence to be better not only for the company, but for ourselves as well. We no longer felt like JUST an apprentice. We are the future.”

Bell adds, “Training is a long-term commitment we make at Sweeney, and NASRCC is a crucial part of the success of the program. It has been a breath of fresh air to see that when a little effort is invested into our apprentices’ and carpenters’ careers, we can all reap the benefits of their successes; both the UBC and any signatory contractor.”