Preston Williams, a second-year millwright apprentice from Aiken, South Carolina, was driven to join the union by a familiar motivation: becoming a father. When his daughter was born, Preston realized he and his wife needed a better way to provide for their family. He had a great example to follow–his brother and uncle were both millwrights and encouraged him to join the apprenticeship program.
Preston’s decision has allowed him to give his wife and daughter a better life. He primarily works in power generation facilities—including nuclear, gas, and coal—and also does conveyor work in the offseason. Traveling for these jobs, sometimes as far as North Dakota and Ohio, is a bittersweet part of the work. While he misses his family when he’s away, he appreciates the higher pay that comes with travel. As Preston sees it, “It’s an opportunity to see the country and make better money so I can provide for my family what they deserve.”
A significant part of Preston’s success is practical application of the training program. The classroom learning has been a complete turnaround from his high school experience. He previously struggled with math, but in the millwright program, the direct application of math to the work makes it click. He credits the instructors for making the math understandable and practical.
Before joining the union, Preston worked as a mechanic, welder, and fabricator for a family business. He enjoys building on those skills, particularly the precision welding required in millwrighting. Looking ahead, Preston is focused on growing his career so he can continue to provide for his family. When he’s not working, you can find Preston tinkering with vehicles, fishing, or spending time with his family.