Javier Luna, a fourth-year apprentice from Marietta, Georgia, is well on his way to becoming a journeyman. With his sights set on completing his apprenticeship in July 2026, Javier has already gained a wealth of experience in the carpentry trade, showcasing the diverse opportunities available to union members.
Javier’s career has taken him to a variety of interesting job sites. For the past year, he has been a team lead with Grady and Associates, where he specializes in installing medical equipment supports. Before that, he was installing massive “elephant doors” for movie studios. These doors, which could be up to 30 feet tall, were used on sound stages. He installed this type of door in the film industries in Atlanta, where the film industry is thriving. He also contributed to the construction of the Convention Center in Savannah.
Beyond the exciting projects, Javier emphasizes that the most rewarding part of his apprenticeship has been the people he’s met. “I’m really lucky to have a group of guys that [I’ve] been able to keep up with for years,” he says. This tight-knit group helps each other out, and Javier encourages new apprentices to find a similar support system.
Javier’s advice for those just starting out is to be patient. The first few months can be tough as you learn the ropes, but he assures new apprentices that things eventually settle down. “You get a little more swagger in your tool belt,” he says.
Javier was initially drawn to the apprenticeship program by its clear structure. He appreciated that the program had a set of rules and a class schedule, giving him a predictable path to level up in his career. In addition to the structured learning environment, Javier has also enjoyed the opportunities to travel and work across the Southeast, from Florida to Tennessee.
While he’s focused on gaining as much hands-on carpentry experience as possible right now, Javier eventually wants to move into a project engineer or estimator role. To achieve this, he will need to pursue additional training.
When he’s not working, Javier enjoys unwinding by camping in north Georgia.