Meet James Perkins, a fourth-year millwright apprentice from Local 1192 and training at the Pelham Training Center. James began his career restoring cast iron facades, and today he works inside power plants across the southeast. James’ journey began as a non-union ironworker with Allen Architectural Metals, where he helped remove and refurbish intricate cast iron facades on historic buildings. It was a conversation with his wife’s cousin, a millwright journeyman, that began his new journey. James admits, “I didn’t know much about the trade at first. But the more I learned, the more I realized how much opportunity there was in this trade.” That conversation with his wife’s cousin changed the trajectory of his career, and today, James is just two classes away from becoming a journeyman.
Now nearing the end of his apprenticeship, James reflects on the highlights of his experience. “The coolest thing I have gotten to experience is working inside the power plants and getting to see the intensive process and labor required to generate power.”
The learning curve for James hasn’t always been easy, as he recalls getting information overload and the shift to working in a fast-paced environment. He recalls, “I didn’t know any of the materials I was working with or any work process, so that was a definite challenge in the beginning.” James was encouraged by the challenge and enjoys being able to not only solve problems but also diagnose issues on the job, stating, “It helps keep me sharp.”
One of the most valuable aspects of being in the program is the opportunity he has had to travel. He has traveled as far as Wisconsin, but he has also worked in several states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Michigan. His favorite project was a refinery job in Wisconsin, where he made long-lasting friendships and expanded his network. He now touts that he has a vast network spanning across multiple states, and any time he needs help, he always has a brother or sister in the state he is working in. He states, “I’ve got contacts in several states now. That’s something I truly value.”
With graduation close, James hopes to grow within his current company or one day become a council representative. He is passionate about paying it forward and would love to be able to recruit new members to his local.
When James isn’t working, he enjoys spending his time riding his side-by-side with his wife, fishing, or spending time with his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
His advice to new apprentices is to “Stay observant and open to learning, listen more than you speak.” It’s advice that was passed down to him early in his career, and it’s something he continues to live by and even adds, “The day you stop learning is the day you stop growing.” In a trade where experience is everything, James believes that humility and a willingness to learn from others are key to growth.