News

Apprentice Spotlight: Matthew Clark

December 22, 2025

Third year apprentice Matthew Clark has an unusual background for carpenter. He earned a bachelor’s degree philosophy, with a minor in counterintelligence, followed by a two-year degree in brewing science. For a decade, he worked in the brewing industry, but a lack of promotion opportunities led him to a career change. “I’ve always loved carpentry […]

Apprentice Spotlight – Jonathan Ford

December 12, 2025

Meet Jonathan Ford, a fourth-year apprentice with Local 702 in Jacksonville, FL, who is getting ready to graduate in July of 2026. His journey into the trades began at a trade school, where carpentry was one of the three options he explored. Jonathan was quickly inspired by his instructor to pursue an apprenticeship program in carpentry, and he hasn’t looked […]

Apprentice Spotlight: Samuel Rodriguez

December 8, 2025

Unistrut isn’t a word most people know, but for Samuel Rodriguez, it’s a big part of his daily work. Samuel, a third-year apprentice, specializes in installing Unistrut support structures for medical equipment in labs, X-ray rooms, and operating rooms. At just 21 years old, he’s already traveled all around the Southeast for his work, starting […]

Apprentice Spotlight: Preston Williams

November 24, 2025

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 […]

Apprentice Spotlight – James Perkins

November 21, 2025

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 […]

Apprentice Spotlight – Nicholas Rivera

November 14, 2025

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, […]

Apprentice Spotlight: Michael Perez

November 10, 2025

Michael Perez, a third-year apprentice, has found his niche in the union. The apprenticeship program has exposed him to a wide range of work, including concrete, dirt work, trim, and scaffolding. Michael’s path to the profession began with a prior trade school program where he gained exposure to electrical work, welding, and carpentry. “I liked […]

Apprentice Spotlight: Kaylee Everd

October 27, 2025

For third-year millwright apprentice Kaylee Everd, a self-described lifelong learner who loves to “dabble in just about everything,” being a millwright is the perfect professional fit. Kaylee, who has ADHD, previously worked in a variety of fields, including plumbing and pipefitting, as well as in a prison. She was initially drawn to the trade by […]

Member Spotlight: Jonny Hazen

October 13, 2025

A layoff during the pandemic was the push Jonny Hazen needed to reinvent his career. At 41, Jonny traded his successful but unfulfilling job in advertising sales for the challenge and satisfaction of becoming a carpenter. Now 45, he’s a journeyman carpenter and a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to find […]

Apprentice Spotlight: Javier Luna

September 29, 2025

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 […]

Apprentice Spotlight: Donovan Brown

September 15, 2025

For Donovan Brown, a second-year carpentry apprentice, his profession is more than just a job—it’s a legacy. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a master carpenter he deeply admired, Donovan joined the carpenter’s Union] in September 2023. He quickly hit the ground running, securing a position with Grady and Associates, where he specializes in […]

Member Spotlight: Crystal Moore

September 1, 2025

Crystal Moore joined the apprenticeship program in 2019 and recently journeyed out. She has been building her career in carpentry primarily in Georgia. Before joining the union, Crystal worked in an auto manufacturing plant. She knew a desk job wasn’t for her and was drawn to the trades because of her hands-on skills. Now, as […]

Building a New Life

August 8, 2025

Veterans find civilian careers through carpentry program Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a daunting challenge for many veterans. The skills they honed in the service, while valuable, don’t always translate directly into civilian careers, leaving some feeling uncertain about their future. A unique program is helping veterans bridge that gap, providing […]

Successful Construction Careers Event Held in Atlanta

August 4, 2025

Nearly 50 job seekers and representatives from four local companies attended a skills showcase and hiring event for construction careers in Atlanta on August 1. The event, called a Combine, gave people interested in construction a chance to get hands-on experience with scaffolding and interior systems, learn about the carpenters apprenticeship program, and meet with […]

Dec 2023 Carpenter Magazine

January 12, 2024

Information about our solar work and a Texas paperboard project both Carpenters and Millwrights are working on can be read in the Southern District Spotlight on pages 18 and 19 of the December Carpenter magazine. Click the link and check it out!

A House to Call Home

December 22, 2023

Central South Carpenters build a house Sergeant Maverick and his two daughters can call home near San Antonio, TX.