During the week of Veterans Day, America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured veterans who continue to serve by helping fellow Americans obtain careers in union industries.
United Association (UA) Local 669 Recruitment and Outreach Specialist Tim Coleman joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how he is helping to recruit new members into the ranks of UA Local 669 and the building trades in general.
Getting into the building trades
Coleman is a Marine Corps veteran who served for six years as a member of an infantry unit.
Luckily for Coleman, he had uncles who were lifelong union bricklayers and saw the benefits they earned and the treatment they received. This led him into the arms of the United Association.
Coleman now holds the position of recruitment and outreach specialist for the UA Local 669 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee.
Recruiting new union members
Coleman said he loves his position. Since Local 669 holds territory across 48 states, Coleman gets to travel and talk to people from all walks of life. He works with high school students, influencers such as guidance counselors, veterans and active-duty military service members.
He said he loves getting to work with fellow veterans. In this position he can educate them about the livable wages, benefits and volume of work for UA members.
Knowing that some have interests other than just sprinkler fitting, Coleman really works as an advocate of the building trades. He gets people in touch with other recruiters and helps them on their way towards becoming tradesmen and tradeswomen.
Upcoming goals
Coleman said he expects to continue creating value for Local 669. He wants to continue developing relationships throughout the United States and parts of Canada that will help him recruit more individuals into the UA and other building trades.