A strong union needs skills, benefits and ACTION!
Kedar Swain is a first-year apprentice in Local 276. Born and raised in Buffalo, Swain attended McKinley Vocational High School and after completing the carpentry program, he was keen to pursue a career in the trade. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
At 18 years old, with no college debt building up and earning while he learns with great benefits to support himself, Swain says he’s very happy with his decision and has “a good thing going on here” for his future. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Brother Swain is currently working for Willett Builders on various school projects in Buffalo and Lancaster. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“I love working for Willnet, they’re really great to work for and I think I’m a good fit.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Swain says the support he’s received from the Carpenters union from the start has been brilliant, and is encouraging as a young man starting out. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“Jomo Akono [Local 276 Council Representative] has been a great mentor to me and we talk a lot – sometimes for like an hour on the phone. He’s always available if I have any questions. You know sometimes I just call him to tell him how my week went. It’s really nice. I guess we’re all Brothers here.”⠀