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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 back since.  
Before joining the union, Jonathan worked non-union jobs, gaining experience on high-rise buildings and tilt-up concrete projects. His research on the apprenticeship program opened his eyes to the opportunities available in carpentry.  
Among the highlights of Johnathan’s journey, he recalls doing a roofing project on a roofing distribution center. This project gave him a new perspective on the type of work carpenters can do. Today, Jonathan primarily works on concrete projects, but he enjoys the variety of work and the chance to learn new skills.  
Stepping into leadership has been Jonathan’s biggest challenge in the program so far. “Learning how to work well with others and supervising them has taught me patience”, he shares. He also values the lessons that good and bad leaders have taught him along the way. He is gr 
Jonathan’s most rewarding part of the job is the feeling of accomplishment he gets after completing a project. He shares, “All the memories, sweat, blood, and frustrations that go into a job to create a finished project make this work more meaningful.” 
His work has taken him beyond Jacksonville, and one of his most memorable job assignments was with Owens Corning in Savannah, GA. This experience strengthened his sense of brotherhood and gave him the opportunity to work in new cities and in different environments.  
Looking ahead, Jonathan hopes to continue growing with his current contractor. He is interested in traveling for work but remains focused on becoming a foreman. He is open to further education if it helps him advance his career, and he is grateful for the opportunities the apprenticeship program has given him.  
Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys playing basketball, attending church in Bernadino Beach, and spending time at the beach and local springs, where he freedives. He is also a fan of action movies, especially those from Marvel and DC universes.  
His advice to individuals thinking about joining the apprenticeship program is, “If you like creating structures and working with your hands, this craft is for you. The apprenticeship program gives you the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Pay attention to detail and dedicate yourself to the work, and success will follow.” Jonathan is quick to express gratitude for his journey, saying, “I want to thank the Lord for the strength He has provided and for the life I have now. I look forward to the next chapter in life with Him by my side.”  

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 from his home base in Atlanta.

Samuel was drawn to the apprenticeship program because he “wanted to learn something new while making a decent living.” He also valued the mentorship opportunities the Union provides. He’s discovered that carpentry is about more than just wood; it includes framing, sheetrock, steel, and a lot more, offering a surprising amount of diversity in the profession.

One of the most gratifying parts of the job for Samuel is seeing a finished medical facility. Knowing his work is part of a larger, potentially life-saving project is a powerful feeling. “Those rooms are something else!” he said.

The biggest challenge with Unistrut isn’t physical labor, but the mental game. “You’re really paid to think,” he said. Before a single piece of equipment is installed, he must mentally map out the entire system, figuring out how everything will fit around existing structures like ductwork and sprinkler lines. Each job site presents a unique puzzle. “Every job site and every room we step into is different,” he said.

Looking ahead, Samuel plans to journey out and eventually move into a less labor-intensive position within the industry. He’s also considering relocating to Tennessee or Texas. He’s an avid hiker and loves the mountains in Tennessee, and he has family in Texas, where he has heard there is plenty of work for people with carpentry skills. When he’s not working, he enjoys hiking, spending time with his family, and playing pool.

For anyone considering the apprenticeship program, Samuel’s advice is clear: “Go for it. It’s worth a shot. It’s what you make of it. Do you want to grow? It’s worth it.” He also highlights the unique learning environment available through the apprenticeship program, where much of the learning happens through on the job training. “It’s a learning experience where you’re not in the classroom all the time. For me, that helps a lot.”

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.

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.   

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 carpentry the most,” he says, “I really enjoyed it and wanted to do it more.”

Michael is currently working on a hospital construction project in Gwinnett, Georgia, where he is installing cabinets, countertops, and elevator panels. He takes immense pride in his work, especially when he sees the finished product. The precise nature of the job, such as working with Corian countertops, is both a challenge and a source of satisfaction. “If you rush it, you’re just going to mess it up,” he explains, highlighting the patience required for quality craftsmanship.

He recently attended a training session at the International Training Center in Las Vegas, an opportunity he says was invaluable for networking with union members from across the country.

Michael is currently learning how to be a foreman and gaining valuable leadership experience. He has been working for The King’s Carpenters for the past two years, where he has honed his skills and built his career.

When he’s not on the job, Michael enjoys camping, hiking, and bowling. His focus outside of work is on his family, especially his son, who recently celebrated his first birthday.

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 her brother-in-law, a union millwright who encouraged her to consider the apprenticeship program.

Kaylee hasn’t looked back since, calling it “probably the best decision I have ever made.” The career’s variety is a major draw for her. “There’s something different you’re going to do every day,” she says, a quality she finds particularly appealing. So far, her work has taken her to Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, with jobs in diverse settings like battery plants, power plants, and FedEx facilities. She’s gained experience in aligning equipment, setting steel, and installing machinery.

Kaylee’s success highlights how the millwright profession benefits people with diverse learning styles. The ever-changing nature of the work—moving from one job site to the next and tackling different tasks—is a natural match for individuals with ADHD who thrive on variety. The apprenticeship program’s blend of hands-on and classroom learning ensures the material sticks.

The instructors, who are knowledgeable and helpful, teach the material in a variety of learning styles, making the curriculum accessible to everyone.

As she looks to the future, Kaylee plans to journey out and move up the ranks, taking advantage of the opportunity to travel and try different types of projects and industries. When she’s not on the job, Kaylee loves to explore the outdoors with her three dogs.

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.