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Workers give inside look at life in the trades

Job title: Journeyman carpenter
Years of work experience: 4-7
School/training program attended: Northwest College of Construction

Khris Gaxiola

I’m a carpenter with a passion for building from the ground up. My career began in a fast-paced production environment, where I quickly learned the importance of thinking on my feet and keeping safety a top priority. There’s no task that can’t be done both safely and efficiently, and I take pride in tackling everything from small details to large-scale projects.

Early in my apprenticeship, I was told that “carpentry is the mother of construction,” and that quote has stayed with me ever since. It’s a truth I see proven every day. In the field, we jokingly call ourselves vatos locos (“crazy dudes”) because precision is everything and there’s little room for error. We build not just for today, but for our families and a better future.

Working in the Pacific Northwest means taking on the rain, the cold and, every so often, days that are hot as hell. Carpentry is one of the most mentally and physically demanding careers out there, but if you enjoy math, love creating architectural masterpieces and don’t mind breaking a sweat – whether it’s from a downpour or the sun beating down – there’s nothing more rewarding.

Job title: Lead CIPP installer
Years of work experience: 4
School/training program attended: Northwest College of Construction

Treanna Sims

I originally started at POIC (Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center) in 2020 in a three-month program at the college. After completing my program, I got enrolled in the laborers’ program at NWCOC in 2021 and started working as a laborer with an excavation company.

Fast forward to 2022, I got pregnant with my second child and took maternity leave for about six months. At the time I thought I loved my job considering it was the only introduction I had to construction. While trying to return back to work after maternity leave, my company had no work at the time so I ended up working for a different company that specializes in pipe lining.

A day in Tre’s life typically starts at 5 a.m. during the week. Once my kiddos are dropped off to school, I’m heading to work. Of course, we start our day with our JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) and Stretch & Flex. On a normal day my responsibilities are to drive the box van with a trailer attached to the jobsite. I am in charge of prepping the line, prepping the liner, wetting the bag out and getting it loaded onto the launcher for installation.

Another one of my responsibilities is to also run the air cart, which gives the launcher air to keep the pressure set at a specific PSI. I absolutely love my position and my job as well. I have a little more than four years of experience in the field of construction, and without all the support that I have rooting for me none of this would be possible. My parents, my kids, my coworkers and, of course, the best coordinate to ever push me oh so hard, Amy Lund (apprenticeship manager at NWCOC)!