Ten San Quentin residents have graduated from a pre-apprentice construction labor program that will help them get jobs when they return home.
“We want you to be successful out on the streets,” Prison Industry Authority (PIA) Administrator Rusty Bechtold told them. “You go out there with the knowledge and skill to join the labor union.”
Bechtold called finishing the program a milestone that will help the men find success.
Graduates of the laborer-training program get several benefits when they return to society.
“Upon graduation and release, we guarantee union membership in three trades – Iron Workers, Carpenters and Laborers,” said class instructor Gregorio Venegas.
The San Quentin program also pays their first-year union dues, provides a free set of tools, and recognition as a true pre-apprentice.
“It’s a good opportunity that they are giving us,” said graduate Damen Noel.
The guarantee of union membership and other benefits make this San Quentin program unique, Bechtold said.
“We are the only program that has an agreement and a contract with the training center,” said Bechtold. “We have a success rate that 93 percent will not come back.”
Bechtold hosted the small Feb. 18 gathering, which Laborer Union 261 representative Javier Flores attended.
“I came here to support these guys and look for the best apprentices,” said Flores. “I expect every one of these graduates to be prepared and do their best and do the right thing.”
Bechtold called each individual graduate up to a podium on a low stage to receive a certificate and take a photo.
In addition to Noel, the graduates were Joseph Garcia, Nagee Walker, Yonathan Tesfay, Aaron Dufour, Arthur Snowden, Michael Smith, Rene Pryor, Earl Nuru and Clifton Celestine. They all cheered for each other when their names were called.
“This is a big step in rehabilitation in my life,” said Nuru.
Tesfay said, “I’ve been in prison from the age of 19 to 24 and I’ve had no job experience; therefore, I needed to take advantage of this opportunity. That way when I’m released, I can get my life back on track. Every man should know the fundamentals of how to operate and use tools. It’s something the older generation had to learn and it also gives Black men the opportunity to be successful in the workforce.”
Walker said he learned skills like pouring concrete and using basic construction tools.
Laborer jobs start at $18.67 an hour but climb to $28 after working 3,600 hours, Venegas said.
Venegas said he noticed ex-felons were good workers while doing the hiring as a production manager for a huge demolition company.
“I found out ex-felons are some of the best workers because they are hungry to do well,” said Venegas. “So when I ran across this opportunity (to teach), I didn’t think twice about it at all.”
Another benefit graduates of the program have is being recommended by PIA for the upcoming joint venture jobs with Big Dog, a refrigeration manufacturing company. However, it will be up to Big Dog to decide who they hire.
Bechtold recommended the graduates keep their training sharp while waiting for release by working for Inmate Day Labor on construction projects around the prison.
–Richard Richardson
and Eddie Herena
contributed to this story
