Recently, WRTP | BIG STEP was featured by TMJ4 News for our talent pipelines that connect people with sustainable careers in the skilled trades!
We provide education, hands-on training, and ongoing support to connect individuals directly with future employers. Take Jade Retic’s story, for example. Through our programs, Jade is gaining the skills and knowledge she needs to break into sheet metal work, operating engineering, or painting.
“I wanted to give myself a chance to experience something that I never thought I would do ever in my life, and I think I just wanna change the community,” said Retic.
Joseph Jimenez, looking to transition from residential to commercial construction, explains, “The opportunities [WRTP | BIG STEP] gives you, the hands-on training they give you, tutoring here… They do a lot of things that help you out, and if you want it, you can get it; you just gotta put in the work.”
Many of our instructors are industry veterans who share their expertise and insights with our students. Willie D. Ellis, a retired operating engineer, teaches carpentry and construction, mentoring students and equipping them with communication skills and the ability to adapt to different work environments.
“The most important thing is we also get them ready for apprenticeships, making sure that they know what it takes if they want to be a carpenter, if they want to be an electrician, if they want to be a plumber, if they want to be an operating engineer, and instilling in the students the importance of learning,” said Ellis.
Hear from more of our students by reading the full story from TMJ4 News!