Operation Fresh Start (OFS) celebrated the graduation of six participants in the Summer Trades Academy on July 25, marking the culmination of a transformative six-week program designed to introduce recent high school graduates to the construction trades.
The program, a collaboration between OFS and WRTP Big Step, provides young adults, ages 18-24 who have earned their high school diploma or equivalent, with hands-on experience and exposure to various trades, setting them on a path to promising careers. Each participant received a $100/week stipend during the six weeks.
The six graduates, including Evelyn, Tatyana, Esáu, Leo, Eddie, and Dietrich, have shown exceptional commitment and eagerness to learn. Evelyn and Leo are joining OFS Build Academy, and Leo is expressing a particular interest in carpentry. Tatyana has secured a position as a cement mason with Parisi Construction, starting immediately. Esáu plans to pursue a business degree, Eddie has received a letter of introduction for the laborers, and Dietrich is also joining the Build Academy while looking to become a cement mason.
“The biggest thing I learned is the amount of dedication and work that goes into the trades,” Dietrich said. “You need to put a lot of hard work and training into it.”
Esau said that the unions they worked with taught him many new things he never knew despite having family in construction.
OFS Summer Trades Academy Coordinator Faith Neumann expressed immense pride in the graduates.
“They have rolled up their sleeves, embraced hands-on experiences, and explored the many paths leading into apprenticeships across a variety of trades," she said. “Throughout this journey, they have shown an admirable level of enthusiasm. Their eagerness to learn, their commitment, and their resilience have made our mission not only possible, but profoundly rewarding.”
Participants earned essential certifications throughout the program, including OSHA 10 and First Aid/CPR. They were trained in reading blueprints, using tape measures, and carpentry fundamentals, culminating in a pre-apprenticeship in carpentry. The curriculum also included visits to various unions and job sites, providing a comprehensive view of the opportunities available in the trades.
The participants toured facilities such as the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Training Center, Iron Workers Union Local 383 Training Center, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, Local Union International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators, Allied Workers Union Local 19, Plasterers and Cement Masons Training Center, Laborer’s International Union of North America Local 464, Madison Area Sheet Metal Joint Training Union, and Plumbers Union Local 75. They also visited active Findorff and Parisi Construction job sites.
Faith thanked the unions and construction businesses for their involvement in the academy and said, “it brings me immense joy to witness so many entities coming together to uplift our community and make the trades accessible to more people.”
"This event marks more than just the end of a six-week program," Faith said. "It represents the beginning of new possibilities, new careers, and new dreams for these extraordinary young individuals.”
She also emphasized the program's importance, noting that it offers a critical pathway for young people to explore the trades without the immediate commitment of an apprenticeship. She highlighted the impending workforce shortages and the significant earning potential in the trades compared to some college pathways.
The Summer Trades Academy's success was made possible through the partnership between OFS and WRTP Big Step, with crucial funding provided by Enbridge Inc. As the graduates embark on their new journeys, the Summer Trades Academy stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration and the endless opportunities within the trades.