Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 Training Center
Organized Labor
Frank Cuneo, Program Coordinator
Our apprentices cover a wide range of experiences. Some are good at book learning and have college degrees; others grew up in tough neighborhoods with degrees from the school of hard knocks.
Most of our instructors are pretty good at helping people along. We get to give one-to-one remedial help. That is not to say that we can spend enough time to replace everything they should have learned. There are limits to what we can do. But it's rewarding to see somebody who might have gotten lost in society turn themselves around and give their life meaning.
Occasionally I'll visit the prisons and explain what the trades have to offer. Unfortunately most people coming out of prison end up going back. But we have successes. I'm thinking of a guy in his fourth year as a sheet metal worker. I first met him in San Quentin and explained the apprenticeship program. He joined when he got out and stayed with it. Now he uses his spare time to help other people who are trying to change their lives. He is a very positive guy. It's too bad that he's the exception. But that's the reason to keep trying. Working with someone like that recharges your batteries.
We also have some women and a lot of minorities in the program. That diversity really gives the program stability, because a big part of the trade is learning to work with other people. Companies are realizing the importance of maintaining good relations with their customers and workers, so they value people who can work with other people and understand their needs, people who know how to resolve problems by sitting down and talking instead of fighting with people.