Meet the Community

Jared Brun recently completed the 964 pre-apprenticeship program at the Albany, NY training facility and is now a first-year apprentice with Local 291.

Growing up, he didn’t have much exposure to construction or carpentry, but soon discovered his passion for working with his hands and building things.

Jared attributes his work ethic to his mother, who raised him after his father passed away when he was young. She instilled in him the belief that “everything is possible if you put your mind and effort to it.”

To pursue a career in the trades, Jared enrolled in a construction class at Questar III BOCES. “I was grateful to get in; I enjoyed the first year of the class and knew I wanted to pursue this as my career,” he shares. His positive experience in the Questar program was complemented by an “amazing experience” in the Carpenters’ pre-apprenticeship program.

While he gained foundational construction knowledge at BOCES, Jared found that the pre-apprenticeship program provided him with essential skills for his apprenticeship.

“It prepared me in a great way for the apprenticeship because I had gotten tools that helped me with the job I’m at now, and gave me a good amount of knowledge.”

Currently, Jared is working at Catholic Central High School in Troy, NY. He appreciates the opportunity to learn on the job and enjoys collaborating with his foreman, Lou Angelo, and his union Brothers and Sisters.

Lou reflects on Jared’s progress: “Since teaching Jared in the pre- apprenticeship, being his foreman for the past 3 months, I’ve been able to watch him progress his skills and grow as a carpenter. What I truly enjoy as a foreman and instructor is teaching the younger generation. Watching them learn and grow as a carpenter and into a leader.”

Jared’s advice for anyone considering joining the union is straightforward: “Do it! Always pay attention, be open to constructive criticism, maintain a strong work ethic, keep a good attitude, and network as much as you can!”