Pile Drivers Apprentice Training Program, Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California

Organized Labor

Mikos Dickerson, Apprentice
One of my friends told me about the pile drivers. He couldn't hang. It was too much for him, so I decided to check it out. I'm always looking for a challenge.

I don't find any of it really scary. People get a thrill from jumping out of helicopters and things like that. It will be a great experience. I'm really scared of heights. It'll be fun to get over that. And I'm afraid of the ocean as well. It is a big body of water, and I'm looking forward to not being afraid of it any more. I love pushing myself to the limit. Yes sir, anything that comes my way, I'll do it.

I always wanted to build something. In this job you can become part of history, like building the Golden Gate Bridge. I'm really looking forward to the day when I can show my kids and grandkids the things I've done,when I can tell them, “Mikos worked on that. I was part of the team.”

So far I got to do form work. I got out there with a hammer and tools in the hot sun and worked up a sweat. Then I took a breath and realized, “I'm building something.” It's just really fun. Pile driver is one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs. This is for real men.