Construct apprentices earn journeyworker status at recognition ceremony

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The construction industry welcomed the graduation of 193 newly certified journeyworkers Saturday at the Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund (HCATF).

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The ceremony began at 10 a.m., and 161 carpenters, 31 drywall specialists, and one millwright walked the stage.

The class also welcomes the first high school students who came through the Career Connections internship program.

Drywall Specialist Elijah-Noah Rodriguez said the program gave him the chance to see what work was like in the real world.

“I got to go see what I wanted, see what it was like in the real world in the field, and it gives kids a chance to see if they really like doing and, if that’s what they was planning on doing,” he said.

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Rodriguez added that “the pay is mean,” and everyone in the program can “make good money.”

“Not too much out of places you cannot go to college and get paid this much,” he said.

Since the program launched in Hawaii, more than 100 students have come through the program.

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Learn more about the Career Connections internship here.