Tyre graduated from the Xcel Energy PowerUp Program earlier this month. Three days later he was at work on a Twin Cities highway construction project. While it is demanding work and he comes home sore and tired he says he couldn’t be happier.
“I like doing stuff with my hands and building things and it pays really well,” said Tyre, who added that it is important for him to have a family-sustaining job because he has four children.
Tyre knew he wanted to go into construction, but despite taking an introductory construction training course, completing dozens of applications, making phone calls and knocking on doors last year, he didn’t get hired and the construction season was winding down.
Tyre didn’t give up. He heard about Building Strong Communities, reached out and got into Part One of the Xcel Energy PowerUp program through Native Sun Community Power Development early this year. After he finished the first part of the program, Tyre began Part Two of his training at Building Strong Communities or BSC as participants call it.
“This was the best thing that ever happened to me in my life...It’s just been a wonderful journey, I’d like to thank BSC,” Tyre said. He continued with a specific message of gratitude for two people in particular at BSC. “Thomas Scott and Rick Martagon helped me a lot by keeping me positive about getting a job and getting in the union.”
The Xcel Energy PowerUp Program is a public-private partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development that prepares workers for in-demand career path employment in fields related to energy and construction trades. Through the PowerUp Program, Xcel Energy and DEED worked with seven community-based organizations, including BSC and Native Sun, to train and provide job placement for Minnesotans who are underrepresented in energy- and construction trades-related fields.
Tyre offered this encouragement to his classmates when they are reaching out to employers: “If they’re not answering the door, just keep going back, try something else, just get your foot in the door. I got so discouraged. I’d like to thank my family for putting up with me when I got discouraged. Keep your heads up. Eventually you’ll get in the door.”
Tyre’s persistence paid off with employment as a highway construction laborer. He hopes to get into the Local 563 of the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) and grow his skills at their training center. He wants to continue to grow his skills so that in five years he will be journeyman laborer and “in 10 years I could become a foreman or a superintendent.”
