Manuel is in recovery from addiction and his life is on a good path, but before he enrolled in MnDOT-DEED Pre-Apprentice Highway Construction Training he struggled to find family-sustaining employment. A criminal record in his background was a barrier in finding work to support his three children.
Growing up, Manuel would help his dad with cement finishing projects and he was interested in doing that work. Manuel took his dad’s advice to reach out to local union leaders, who recommended he consider the MnDOT-DEED training program.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) team up for the program providing pre-apprentice highway construction training that prepares individuals for employment in the highway construction industry.
DEED employment and training specialist Sylvia Garcia reached out to Manuel and explained that if he completed MnDOT’s cement masonry-laborer program, he would be qualified to start as an apprentice cement finisher with the Local 633 Cement Masons union.
Manuel passed the assessment test and signed up for the six-week course. Although he had some experience from working with his dad, he had a lot to learn like the names of the tools and the proper steps to take for pouring and finishing.
Manuel said "the training is tough. You have to want it and learn from your mistakes."
Manuel dedicated himself to his training and he received a job offer the week before his graduation from the pre-apprenticeship program last year. He started work the next week.
Now, Manuel is a first-year apprentice with a concrete construction company based in Rochester. He is especially proud of his finishing work on the roundabout at the interchange of I-35 and Hwy 19. “It felt good to see a project through from start to finish.” Manuel says, “Now I drive by and see it in use. I tell my kids that’s something that I helped build.”
- Find out more about the MnDOT-DEED Pre-Apprentice Highway Construction Training Program
- Talk with staff at a CareerForce location near you about all the training options that may be available to you
