Iowa Apprentice on Track to Success

Scott Williams

After being laid off from a cabinet shop, Scott Williams heeded the advice of his father, a veteran union ironworker: “Take up bricklaying Scott,” his father told him. “Those guys are the toughest on the job. They make good money and have a good trade.” With his father’s words still fresh in his mind, Williams went down to Local 3 Iowa’s office in Des Moines and signed up with the Union’s apprenticeship program.

“It was a good decision,” says Williams. “The program got me a series of interviews with area contractors. I wasn’t sure that I answered all of their questions very well, but I soon received a call from Forest & Associate and they put me to work right away.”

“The Union is also concerned with protecting its members on the job and protecting its jurisdiction and the work that others would like to take away from us.”

The 21-year-old apprentice has been with the large Des Moines, Iowa-based BAC signatory contractor for more than two years and is receiving exposure to many facets of the trowel trades. Williams gained most of this experience while working on the Ola Babcock Miller Building in Des Moines. The second-oldest structure in the Iowa State Capital complex, the Miller Building recently underwent a $20 million renovation and restoration project. Local 3 members, including Williams, played a major role in the project.