Sprinkler Fitters Local 483 Training Center
Organized Labor
Gilbert Avila, Apprentice
I have family members that are in the trade, and they would show me how much money they made and tell me about their health and benefits. That got my blood flowing, but I wanted to continue going to college and do something important with my life. Then they told me how they were installing systems that saved peoples' lives, millions of lives. That really got me. I realized this is important work and I really wanted to be part of the team. The thought that I could do something that would save someone's life really inspired me.
The hardest thing for me is the attitude of the different foremen. Some are really nice guys and explain things, and sometimes you get a guy who woke up on the wrong side of the bed. But that is one thing they teach us in class: if you just keep working on, it will all fall in place as you go.
My favorite is underground work, because that's where the system starts. So I take pride in that as well.