Local 7 NY/NJ terrazzo apprentice Scott Holloway came into the trade well equipped to handle the daily ‘grind’. “I was working as a roofer when a family member introduced me to terrazzo. I was fascinated by the artistic aspects of the trade. It seemed to offer a lot more creativity than roofing and I liked the fact that the work is generally performed indoors and out of the elements,” says Holloway.

Local 7 NY/NJ terrazzo apprentice Scott Holloway.

Holloway’s interest soon took a vocational turn when he enrolled in Local 7 NY/NJ’s apprentice program. Before long, Holloway was working for contractors such as Roman Mosaic and Port Morris Tile. The apprenticeship program offers the 32 year-old both work opportunities and a flexible training schedule.

Holloway says he has put in 144 hours a year in related training at IMI’s Regional Training Center in Long Island City, NY and attends Saturday morning and weekday classes when he can fit them into his work schedule. His on-the-job experience working for major contractors along with his craft and related training have convinced Holloway that he’s “learning from the best.” Instructors John Cosentini and Victor DeSalvo guide us through practical exercises like screeding to gain the confidence we need to tackle job site conditions. We also get to train alongside Local 7’s apprentice tile setters and marble masons. Training with them allows us to integrate our mock-ups and work together like we do on the job,” says Holloway.

It’s clear that Holloway values his BAC membership and the benefits it brings. “I recently had a minor accident. My Union benefits kicked in and took care of everything. I didn’t even have to pull a dime out of my pocket. Being with the Union has a lot of other perks too,” adds Holloway. “First and foremost is getting respect on the job. The Union also ensures that I get work on the best projects. Right now we’re at 330 J Street in Brooklyn working on the elevator lobbies and corridors of a new Federal Court House. It’s a first-class job.”

Continuing education is also important to Holloway. “I’m still learning thanks to the Union and I’m now looking into blueprint reading. I’m 32 and I’m taking on new challenges. I’ve got a new career and I’m also recently married. The one thing I have learned over the years is to utilize opportunities, and the Union is helping me do just that.”