Memphis Interior Systems Boot Camp Quickly Places Skilled Mechanics into the Workforce

The Southeastern Carpenters’ Interior Systems Bootcamp series launched its first session in Memphis recently and, as a result, placed skilled mechanics with contractors in the Memphis Area.

Carpenters Local 345 and the Mid-South Carpenters Training program presented the intensive interior systems training session for nine new apprentices who trained for ten hours a day, four days a week, for four weeks. Within a week of completion, eight of the participants were scheduled for hire-in at Ford’s BlueOval City electric truck plant construction or for local contractors in the Memphis area.  

Apprentices trained in OSHA 10, measuring, material handling, correct fastening procedures, building muscle memory of screw placement and depth, correct cutting procedures for sheetrock and metal studs/track, wall layout, wall construction, aerial lift, and other pertinent building skills. All graduates received a starter kit of tools for interior systems work. Apprentice Yelitza Martinez won the Top of the Class competition and received a battery-powered drywall screw gun and impact to help in their new career.

The SECRC started the Interior Systems Boot Camp initiative in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and has since expanded sessions to Nashville, Memphis, and Atlanta. The students earn second-year apprentice designation if they achieve perfect attendance and master the skills via testing. The Boot Camp series has become a successful recruitment tool for attracting new members to a career as a union carpenter. This Memphis session also attracted six females, all graduating and joining the SECRC’s Sisters-in-the-Brotherhood group.

The program is also a big hit with contractors, who are encouraged to observe training. To date, contractors have hired nearly every student who has graduated from the program. Memphis is no exception, with signatory partner PCI hiring most of the class.

“We intend to continue hosting this highly successful recruitment program moving forward, especially to cater to the extensive manpower needs for infrastructure projects around our Council,” said Tom Jenkins, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the SECRC.