FEATURE STORY
“ I have one client whose average workforce was hitting around 55 years old . With fewer and fewer new people joining the field , we started looking at the Workforce Development Center at Gowers Corner as a way to engage new people in construction ,” Kessler said .
Kessler ’ s focus on students ’ growth evolved from not only the skills needed on the worksite , but the professional and personal development side as well . Kessler further explained the different walks of life each of his students come from , such as how the youngest student in the class is only 20 years old while the oldest is 70 years old .
Kessler ’ s influence on the program is apparent . “ I have to give a lot of credit to the instructor , Sean . Very knowledgeable , very smart man . I think he ’ s been in the industry for a while , so he knows a lot . He ’ s a big asset to this program ,” Michael Palladino , a program apprentice , stated , “ and it ’ s all a great learning experience . Believe it or not , I ’ m 70 years old , so I ’ m not looking to make another career . I did it for myself . I want to learn and see how the construction industry works — it ’ s a challenge , and I enjoy it a lot .”
“ Most of these students are not book learners , and I was the same way growing up . We started the program with the book , and some of the students struggled , but now that we ’ re working with our hands , there ’ s been a huge transformation in a couple of the apprentices . The passion has grown to a point where they want to do the book because they know it ’ s important to their learning and growth in the field ,” Kessler said .
The need for more workers in this industry is ever growing . Kessler closed his thoughts on the program and the impact it can have , as “ one of the biggest walls that we ’ ve hit is that construction has this old stigma that it ’ s not a glamorous job . But construction has changed — construction is technology . Construction is drones . Construction is digital . Construction is modeling . There ’ s so much more to it now , but it all starts with hammering nails , climbing ladders and pouring concrete .”
From personal motivation , to wanting to grow professionally , the apprentices in the program are really gaining a foothold on their growth . “ PHSC has given me an opportunity to excel , literally . The people who run this program , Dr . Chris Brantley , Karolyn Anthony and Sean Kessler , have been instruments of motivation . Sharing their knowledge with us has been phenomenal ; I ’ m very grateful ,” said Eugene Figueroa , apprenticeship student .
This passion for learning has only grown throughout the program .
“ One of the things all the students have in common is they have this want and need to work with their hands .
Michael Palladino drilling screws into a table .
Sean Kessler cutting wood with a table saw .
18 PHSC