Andie Beltran knew it was going to be tough. They had no prior experience with carpentry. But did that stop them? No. Andie swore in as a member of Local 1503 in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) in Portland, Ore., and is now a first term apprentice general carpenter earning $26 an hour.
“Everyone has hard days. Have a support system. Have something to remind you of the big picture.”
Andie grew up in Puerto Rico; but at 13 years old, Andie and their family moved to Alaska. It was in Alaska that Andie found out about Job Corps. Andie was involved with extracurriculars and leadership programs in high school. However, they weren’t interested in pursuing college and ultimately wanted something different. They were working hard with three jobs earning minimum wage and felt really burned out.
“There has to be another way. There has to be another way for me to make good money and not have to get a college degree.”
At the time, Andie decided to not pursue Job Corps; but once they moved to Oregon, the stars aligned at a trade fair where they ran into a Job Corps booth. The Job Corps counselor thought Andie would be a great fit for the Wolf Creek Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center. They applied and started Job Corps in December 2019.
“That’s what really caught my attention was the fact that you were learning something, and it was going to be an investment in your future career. It was going to be completely free. Wow. How do people not know about this?”
A natural leader, Andie was incredibly involved at Job Corps and was even voted as the vice president of the Student Government Association. They joined Job Corps at 21 years old, so they already had some independence living on their own. However, it was still a new experience to live with so many people from different backgrounds and experiences.
Andie appreciated the support system and mentorship they had at Job Corps, including instructors Rich Evoniuk and Shane Simon.
“I got really lucky because I had such wonderful carpentry instructors. I had a lot of different mentors throughout my life. I’m always looking for that, and I got really lucky with the people I had at Job Corps.”
Andie had the opportunity to do two work-based learning experiences while on campus. The first one was through the U.S. Forest Service-sponsored History Corps, where contractors would preserve and restore historical monuments across the country. Andie worked on the job site in Sweet Home, Ore., and was very passionate about this work. Before Job Corps, they were doing trail maintenance, so their worlds combined. They even received college credits for historical preservation and completed a class online.
The second work-based learning experience was through the U.S. Forest Service on the camp crew. Andie camped outside all summer and worked at the base camp for the wildland fire fighters. They were lucky to have two of the only work-based learning opportunities during the year because of COVID-19. Also, because of COVID-19, Andie experienced two different types of Job Corps—before and after returning to campus. It was challenging but worth it. The biggest benefit was how close everyone got after returning to campus.
“I definitely recommend the Job Corps program to whoever wants to do it, but I also tell them you are going to be challenged in different ways that may have never crossed your mind … but it’s worth it.”
Andie graduated in October 2021 from Wolf Creek Job Corps CCC and joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. Andie has an advantage from the training and work experience they gained during Job Corps.
“Joining the union just gave me a sense of security. I feel like, as an adult, it can be hard to find, especially when you are starting your career.”
They plan to continue learning in the union and are excited about the different opportunities and career choices the union provides. The future is bright for Andie.
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2021 Employer: First Term Apprentice General Carpenter; United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Local 1503; Portland, Oregon Hometown: Oregon; previously lived in Alaska; originally from Puerto Rico Phone: 907-224-9258 Email: bndrea09@gmail.com Submitted by: Becca Sweredoski Notes:
Salary: $26 per hour
Source: Susan L Field, Placement Coordinator, Susan.field@carpenters.org, 812-201-1006
Pronouns: they/them/theirs