Meet the Community

Justin Alves is a pile driver and member of Local 56. After high school, Alves worked in HVAC systems for a few years but “the pay wasn’t doing it” for him. When his friend, fellow Local 56 Brother Chris Brennan suggested joining the Carpenters union, Alves couldn’t believe the pay and benefits package when he looked into it.

“I reached out to Local 56, and Dave Borrus [former Regional Manager for Local 56] was a great help to me, guiding me through the process. I attended the info session, and well the rest is history! The earn while you learn aspect of the apprenticeship program is awesome. I’m 25 and I’m proud to say that I just got approved for a mortgage.”

Alves says he had no idea of the amount of free training that was available and the opportunities and support you receive as a member of the Carpenters union.

“The Carpenters union offer on-the-job training that is second to none. I trained in Millbury, Boston and at the pile drivers’ facility in New Jersey, and there is always the opportunity to learn and improve every day as a Pile Driver,” he said.

Alves has been working for Hub Foundation for over a year now and is currently doing support of excavation (SOE) on One Congress Street in Boston which is an essential element of underground structures.

Alves says he loves going to work every day because “everyone looks out for one another and is willing to help you succeed. You don’t expect to get the amount of support you do. Ziven Drake [NASCTF Technical Coordinator] has given me the courage to do things I never thought I could do, and I’m so thankful for that because now I’m proud to say that I’m on the Executive Board for Local 56 and I’m excited for my future with the Carpenters union.”