NWLETT - Northwest Construction News

Building a Foundation for Your Finances

Unless you’ve won the lottery and are entering the apprenticeship program just for the chance to learn a lot and build cool things, you’re like the rest of us: You don’t have enough money for everything you want. It’s the reality of a consumer society: There’s so much to buy, but only so much money at your disposal.

Whether you’re aware of them all or not, you make choices every day about how to spend your money. And depending on your situation, those choices are either good ones or bad ones – each one impacts your finances, now and in the future.

As you’re starting your apprenticeship program, this is the perfect time to start building a financial foundation, so you can have a realistic shot at the lifestyle you want – at each stage of your life. Given the reality of all there is to spend money on, how can you stay in control?

The good news is that financial planning is an integral component of the Laborers Apprenticeship program. As an apprentice, you’ll learn six critical elements to building a strong and long-lasting financial foundation. Here’s a brief, high-level look at each one.

Be prepared.

This is just about thinking ahead. During your first year of apprenticeship, you may be earning a higher hourly wage then you ever have before. But sometimes apprentices won’t work all year-round, so don’t base your spending on an income amount that may be too optimistic.

Build an emergency fund.

You have to expect the unexpected: Your car breaks down, or your current project ends and it may be a week or several weeks before you’re dispatched to a new job. Building an emergency fund may be the most important thing you can do to get through any tough times. The basic guideline is to save between three and six months of your basic living expenses. Emergency funds take time to build, so start with as much as you can. When something bad happens, the relief of knowing you’ve got money put aside to cover it is a game-changer.

Create a spending plan.

You can call it a budget, or whatever you like. A spending plan is simple: a realistic picture of how much comes in, how much goes out, and what’s leftover.

There are several key parts to this.

First, don’t overestimate what comes in; know what your reliable net income will be, after taxes, from all sources.
Second, identify every type of expense where the money goes out – if you don’t know where the money’s going, you don’t have a plan. If you don’t have enough left over for emergencies or savings, you can look at which expenses you can cut down or eliminate. An app called Wally makes it easy to get a picture of where you spend your money every day.
Third, make sure there IS some left overuse it to build your emergency fund first, and after that start saving for something big. You Need A Budget is an app that will make starting and keeping a budget simple. It can help with planning expenses and savings, setting and adjusting goals, and showing progress toward them.

Build good credit, or start fixing it.

It’s another fact of our lives: Your credit has a giant impact on your ability to get and do what you want. But your credit rating can change over time, so even if you’re not in a good position now, you can build it back up; it’s like completing an apprenticeship program – it takes work and time. Here are some top tips for building and maintaining good credit:

Set up a system that makes sure you pay your bills on time. This is the most import step to building up your credit.
Don’t ignore collection accounts; if you have trouble paying your bills, call your creditors immediately and explain your situation.
Don’t move your debt around, and don’t bounce checks. You can also apply for a secured credit card to build or re-establish credit (ask your bank about tools like this to build back credit).

Pay down debt.

If you’re in debt, you have to take the long view: commitment and time are your best tools. Follow these steps to create a plan that will put you back in control of your financial future:

Prioritize your debts. Pay more than the minimum, and pay off the smallest balances first (it’ll give you a sense of accomplishment every time you completely pay off a debt).
Determine your total debt so you can create a realistic and effective debt repayment plan – then commit to a payment schedule.
As you repay debts, cut down to using only one credit account.
Stop charging anything until your credit cards are all paid off. And when you’ve paid it off, follow this rule: If you can’t pay cash, don’t buy it – save for it. Don’t treat your credit cards like loans. Ultimately the only thing you should borrow for is a house and (maybe) a vehicle.

Think long-term about credit – it can take months or even a few years to establish a strong credit rating.

Start saving for your future.

When you’ve paid off debt and established an emergency fund, it’s going to feel great to have money left over at the end of the month. Now it’s time to decide what it should go toward, and where to put it. Go with a low-risk investment; you should talk to a banker or a certified financial planner about your options.

Starting with the Laborers Apprenticeship Program is a positive first step toward building that financial foundation because we’ll teach you how to manage your money and build a prosperous future for you and your family.

One last resource for you: Money Under 30 is a website especially for young adults, focusing on topics that are relevant to them. It offers simple, informative and relatable content.

5 Jun

Summer Health & Safety on the Jobsite

| Apprenticeship, Health, Safety

Sunshine and clear skies are here! Every year, outdoor work ramps up in the drier weather. Ditching a desk job to work outside often tops the list of things construction workers love about their jobs. But spending months under the hot summer sun can also present specific dangers to construction workers.

Learn the signs of heat stress and get familiar with your team’s heat safety plan to keep yourself and your crewmembers safe this season.

We’re all responsible for each other

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20 construction workers die each year from heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Construction laborers not only work long hours outdoors, but also often wear heavy protective clothing and work near heat sources such as engines or hot asphalt.

It’s extremely important that workers and their supervisors know the signs of heat-related illnesses and learn the best ways to prevent them. Before you get to work this season, make sure you’re familiar with your crew’s heat safety plan — and your role in it. While supervisors are in charge of setting up a safe work environment, you share the responsibility for yourself and your coworkers when it comes to recognizing signs of heat stress.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Heat Illness Prevention Campaign focuses on three words to remember: Water. Rest. Shade. Heat safety starts with making sure you’re hydrated, taking adequate rest breaks, and cooling down whenever possible — and encouraging your work crew to do the same.

What is heat-related illness?

The most common serious illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Know the signs:

Heat exhaustion

Dizziness
Headache
Fast heartbeat
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness
Cramps

Heat stroke

Skin rash
High temperature
Confusion
Fainting
Convulsions

Who is at risk?

While anyone who works in hot conditions is susceptible to heat stress, there are personal and environmental factors that can increase your chances of becoming ill.

You may be particularly at risk if:

You have a medical condition or take a medication that increases heat and light sensitivity.
You use substances such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other drugs.
You wear heavy clothing and protective gear.
You spend excessive amounts of time in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
You perform strenuous tasks without adequate rest.
Your body has not acclimated to work in hot conditions.

Beyond water, rest and shade, one simple preventative measure is wearing lightweight, breathable and light-colored clothing whenever possible. If you must wear heavy protective equipment on the job, make sure you’re taking more frequent breaks to cool down.

Acclimatization, or gradual exposure, is also an effective way to reduce heat stress. At the beginning of a heat wave or after a period of rest away from work, start slow. It can take at least five days and up to two weeks to fully acclimate to hot conditions.

What if I notice symptoms?

Report signs or symptoms immediately if you notice them in yourself or in a coworker. Talk to your supervisor about where and how to report and what to do during a heat-related emergency.

Symptoms can progress quickly. If a supervisor isn’t available, get to a cool, shaded area as fast as possible, rest, and drink water. If a coworker is unresponsive, call 911 right away.

Stay safe. Love your job.

Following a few simple safety measures can make sure you continue to thrive in what you love doing: Spending time outside, working with your body and your hands to build and improve the world we live in.

Ready to think beyond the cubicle? Contact NWLETT to find out more about our paid construction apprenticeships.

30 May

A day in the life of an Apprentice: Tony Hanna – Local 292 Everett, WA

| General Information, Training

If you really want to get the scoop on something, you go straight to an inside source if you can… so that’s what we’re doing for you today. The Laborers Apprenticeship program might already seem like a good fit for you, but it’s a big choice, so you should do some homework before you commit. Part of that includes hearing from someone who’s already in the program.

To help out, we sat down with Tony Hanna of Everett, who has been in the program for several years, and asked him to provide an inside perspective of what it’s like for him.

How long have you been in the Laborers Apprenticeship program?

I started fours years ago as a member of Local 292 in Everett. When I first began working in construction, I was working for a non-union contractor. I didn’t like it. There wasn’t a whole lot of respect, and they weren’t concerned about training you so you could do the job properly. They would tell you to do something and then expect you to do it even though you weren’t properly trained. That was frustrating.

In September 2014, I talked to a buddy who was a union operating engineer. He suggested checking into the Laborers Apprenticeship program, and he set it up for me to attend an orientation at Local 292. After passing the pre-construction training, I started out as an apprentice working for Gary Merlino Construction up until May 2017, when I put my construction career on temporary hold to become a member of the Army Reserve. I left Merlino to attend Army training from May through December of 2017. In January of this year, my former foreman asked me to come work for Marshbank Construction as a pipe layer, and I’ve been with them since then.

What’s your typical day at work like?

It’s pretty busy. On a pipe crew, sometimes I’ll be the top man or sometimes I’ll be in the ditch doing it myself. The top man’s job is to help keep the process running smoothly. I make sure pipe is ready go into the ground. I make sure the rigging is kept up. If we’re shoring, my job is to make sure we have the right jacks in place. Other duties include putting up fence or moving the ladder forward. I run the jumping jack on the backfill, or I’m cutting pipe or mudding the pipe into the structure. If I’m in the ditch, I’m watching for unmarked utilities, checking grade, laying the pipe. We lay ductile iron pipe that’s used for fresh water and storm water.

What’s it like on the job site?

The days go by very fast. There are four guys on my crew. The more pipe we get into the ground the better. If we’re ahead of schedule, that takes the stress level down. Our crew has been together since the beginning of the job that began in January. We’re all about the same age, and we also like to hang out together outside of work.

What do you find most appealing about being a Laborer?

I like working with my hands, and I like working outside. I grew up in Washington and actually like the rain, so working in construction and being a Laborer is a nice fit.

You’re in a classroom session this week. What class are you taking?

I’m in the asbestos class, and it’s one week long. We’re learning how to protect ourselves when handling a hazardous material like asbestos. It was used in so many things in the past, so we learn how to wear Tyvek suits and respirators, and how to set up a room for decontamination. We learn how to clean up after the job is finished and prevent the spread of contaminants.

So, you’re staying in the dorm this week while you complete your class. What’s that like?

Staying in the dorm lets me concentrate on school, so I focus on going to class, then I eat, go the gym, then kick back and relax before bed. Being able to stay at the training center makes it easier to attend class. I don’t have to travel home every day, and that saves money. Plus, I get three meals a day.

Have you found a niche you enjoy? Is there a particular type of laborer work you want to get into?

I’ve been doing mostly pipe work since becoming a Laborer, and I do some grade-checking. I like being on the pipe crew; I like the work and I plan to stay with pipe work into the foreseeable future.

Are there any challenges you’ve encountered as an apprentice?

I’ve been lucky. It’s been a positive experience since the first day I became an apprentice. I also appreciate working with the Journeymen who know the trade and are good mentors.

Off work, what kinds of activities do you enjoy the most?

Since I’m a member of the Army Reserve, I go to the gym regularly to stay in shape and stay active. I also like to run, work out, hike, ride my dirt bike and go hunting. And I’ve got my pup, too. My dog goes everywhere with me. Of course, I had to leave him at home while I’m in class this week.

22 May

Trends in Construction Infrastructure

| General Information, Safety, Training

It’s not an exaggeration to say that technology has completely transformed the world during your lifetime. Whether you’re 22 or 62, even science fiction writers couldn’t have imagined everything that has changed or been invented while you’ve been around.

One small example: There’s more computing power in your smartphone than there was in the computers that landed the first man on the moon.

And technological advances are definitely not confined to the “high-tech” world. Construction may be the definition of a brick-and-mortar industry, but technology is helping it change and evolve.

Think about the all advances in that powerful smartphone; the same is true for the construction industry. Tools of all kinds evolve to adapt to new methods and materials. Technology has had an enormous impact on how we design, engineer and build structures.

In the traditional sense, you probably think of infrastructure as physical structures like roads and highways; bridges and dams; water, gas and oil pipelines; wastewater treatment plants; and communication networks and power grids. But infrastructure also includes technology. The power of the cloud, machine automation, the Internet of Things, big data and other technological developments are changing everything.

Check out just some of the things happening in construction today:

Drones: Many construction sites are using drones for surveying, mapping and creating 3-D images of a project. They’re being used to record project progress and conditions, and as inspection tools to reach inaccessible parts of a project that require specific equipment. For example, drones can inspect bridges and other structures built over water. Drones can reduce costs and establish a safer working environment.
BIM: Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process that uses 3-D modeling as a basis to more efficiently plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure.
Real-time collaboration: Connectivity through the cloud will let everyone involved in a project effectively work in one “virtual project office,” solving problems together before they happen on the job site.
Autonomous vehicles: Both autonomous and semi-autonomous construction vehicles are being used more and more – dump trucks, wheel loaders, bulldozers, cranes and excavators.
Wearable technology: Tech improvements can even extend to what you wear on the job:
- Smart hardhats incorporate 3-D visors that let you visualize a task within the physical context of the entire project. They can also record real-time video.
- Bionic suits let you pick up extra-heavy objects.
- Smart safety vests monitor your activity and alert you when you enter a hazard zone.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR): These tools can create a composite view of a real-world environment, layering a computer-generated image on top of what you’re seeing in reality. This technology lets construction teams drastically improve their awareness of design inconsistencies, safety issues, defective work or materials, and many other site-related variables.

Ok, some of these concepts may seem a little like sci-fi. But they actually have real potential to enhance design, increase productivity, improve safety and even elevate quality in the construction industry.

The NWLETT Laborers Apprenticeship program will teach you traditional construction skills and techniques – but also give you a look into the exciting world of emerging construction technology. Laborers are consistently among the first in the industry to incorporate new tools and technology that increase productivity.

Learn more about the outstanding benefits of the Laborers Apprenticeship program.