Meet Nicholas Rivera, a fourth-year apprentice with Local 702 in Jacksonville, FL. Nicholas’s journey into the trades began with a major life change, relocating from New York to Florida. Back in New York, Nicholas managed a GNC store, but shortly after moving to Florida, he found himself searching for a different career.
Curious about construction, Nicholas began researching apprenticeship programs near him and found the Carpenter’s Union. “It was a complete 180 from my previous line of work”, he recalls. The transition from retail wasn’t an easy one, but Nicholas adapted quickly to the fast-paced and physically demanding world of construction. Nicholas embraced this challenge and finds satisfaction in
“Everything was brand new. The pace of the environment, the skills required, it was a challenge, but I was up for the challenge.” Now, after being in the apprenticeship program, Nicholas is projected to become a journeyman in April of 2026. He mentions that his apprenticeship journey has had several highlights, but his favorite highlight is being able to see a structure from start to finish. “Passing by buildings I’ve worked on always brings me a sense of pride”, he shares. “Everywhere I go, I notice the quality of structures around me. There is a real sense of pride in knowing that you had a hand in building something that lasts.” That pride is now a family affair as his son has started the apprenticeship program in New York.
Nicholas has mainly worked around Florida, but more recently, he had the opportunity to attend the third-year conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Carpenters International Training Center. “It was a great experience, and I learned a lot from the programs offered in Vegas. I really enjoyed being able to network with apprentices across the country.”
Looking ahead, Nicholas hopes to stay with his current contractor and become a foreman and eventually a superintendent. When he is not working, Nicholas enjoys working on projects at home and expressing himself through spray painting on canvases.
His advice to new apprentices is “study as much as possible and be receptive to the knowledge that journeymen share. Enjoy your time as an apprentice and take pride in your work.” Nicholas’s journey is proof that with curiosity, dedication, and an open mind, you can build a rewarding career and leave a lasting mark on the world around you.