Local 251 apprentice, Abby Aguis, discovered the field of Union Carpentry by searching online. While she imagined learning a trade, Abby had no idea how much foundational and future support would come from the Sisters in the Brotherhood (SIB).

Abby started her trades career with welding at a Technical School training program. However, realizing she had a passion for building things, Abby applied for the SIB pre-apprenticeship program. “I did not realize how many different specializations and room for growth there was within the trades,” she said. “This program gave me the opportunity to try new things, step outside of my comfort zone, and placed me several weeks ahead of some of my counterparts before I even stepped foot on my first job site.”

Currently, Abby works on interior, carpet, and tile for Exxon Mobil’s office buildings and laboratories in Annandale, NJ.  She is continually learning, growing and exceeding on the jobsite. Her Foreman, Mark Guidi, offers the following praise, “Abby works tirelessly to get the job done fast and with quality work. Her work ethic is unparalleled and I believe she has a long, successful career as a Union tradeswoman ahead of her.”

And while the program is critical, Abby also attributes the network and connections she made as another key element that will set her up for long-term success. She stays in touch with her fellow SIB program trainees, and they share information about job opportunities.

Abby reflects on her experiences with the SIB program with gratitude and amazement. In thinking about what might have been, she says, “Without the Sisters in the Brotherhood program, I would’ve ended up paying to learn a trade that I did not enjoy and would have been unfulfilled.” In thinking about what will be, she says, “I am confident this career path will set me up for future success and I continue to use what I learned from the Sisters in the Brotherhood program on a daily basis.”