PIERRE MIDDLETON-BAEZ: NEW FOUND GROWTH CORPORATION
hometown, but when he went to their main office, they explained that he first had to go through an apprenticeship and directed him to the Mission Street Hiring Hall. When he went to apply for the plumbing apprenticeship, he learned that he was number 90 on their waiting list, so wouldn’ t be able to enroll anytime soon.
Frustrated because he needed to bring in an income right away, he asked his cousin, who was a carpenter, how to get into the trades. Although his cousin couldn’ t help Pierre get hired, he recommended the CityBuild Academy( CBA), a 12-week preapprenticeship program providing hands-on training in construction and construction administration.
Pierre went to the CBA and told them that he wanted to be a plumber but was disappointed to learn that their training was only for carpentry or construction labor. However, Zelda Saeli at CBA had previously told him that UA Local 467 Plumbing & Pipefitting( covering San Mateo County) was conducting tests for those interested in apprenticeship.“ I took and passed that test too, but had no idea that I also needed a sponsorship, so once again felt like I had come to a dead-end.”
Zelda encouraged Pierre to line up a sponsorship interview with Dan Orosco and Phil Davis of Kiewit Construction, who were working in Crystal Springs on a drinking water project. As he recounts, he felt great about the interaction and
Pierre( 2nd from left) celebrating his graduation from Local 467 with( from L to R) his aunt Jessica, daughter Re Air, mother Yolanda, nephew Miles and uncle Miguel.
SUMMER 2025 CONTRACTOR TOOLS- 21