A strong union needs skills, benefits and ACTION!
From a deep-rooted family history in the fishing industry in New Bedford to earning a double major in marine biology and social sciences at Providence College, Joe Welch is no stranger to being a working professional on the water. His path to becoming a union piledriver has certainly been rich with experience.
After graduating from college, he worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service for several years where he developed a strong interest in the emerging offshore wind industry.
Through his participation in Access to Opportunity initiative, he met Local 56 representatives at a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) public hearing on the Vineyard Wind 501A lease.
He seized the opportunity to join the Carpenters apprenticeship program and graduated in the first GWO training at Mass Maritime in 2019. His skills as a journeyman pile driver and welder, coupled with his experience of working with DEME’s monopile installation crew, undoubtedly make him an asset to our union and the offshore wind sector.