Grafton Job Corps Shop Gets Their Students Back to Work

After the Covid-19 pandemic, Grafton Job Corps lead instructor Dave Perry knew he needed to change things up in his program.

Students needed to be working even more with their hands on interesting projects. They needed to know that they were on a direct path to a great career as a Union carpenter! After only looking at screens for far too long, students needed to get back in the game.

There was no better place to start than with the Grafton shop! It’s an old building and it needed a fresh look. Dave and his students cleaned, cleared, and reinvented the space. Then, they gave it a fresh coat of bright paint and hung framed posters.

They also did a millwork project for the center as a CTST project. The new front desk showcases fine carpentry and beautiful hardwood.

In the spirit of their “Green Building” training, the Grafton students upcycle leftover hardwood scraps into beautiful cutting boards. Another popular project students build for the campus are Adirondack chairs from the UBC’s Career Connections project books. They recently replaced the classroom roof, as well, removing leaky skylights in the process.

In between all of these projects, Dave teaches his students to safely use hand and power tools, apply carpentry math, build scaffolds and concrete forms, and frame walls – both with wood and with light gauge steel.

Dave regularly takes his students to the nearby North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Center in Millbury, MA, where they meet instructors, business representatives, and apprentices to learn about what it’s like to be part of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC). On “Shop Fridays,” they get to work on big projects with apprenticeship instructors.

Dave and his crew have even gone hiking together to build camaraderie and get some (non-work) exercise.

This is an exciting time to enter the UBC Job Corps Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Program! Never has there been more work – thanks to the Infrastructure, Inflation Reduction and CHIPS acts – and never has there been better preparation available for high-paying careers in construction as a Union member!

The UBC Job Corps is your opportunity to discover a career that combines passion with practicality, where every day brings a new challenge and the chance to work hands-on to make a tangible impact.

Through work-based learning and mentorship, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to excel in a field that values creativity, resilience and hard work.

Let us guide you toward a fulfilling career path that not only promises a bright future, but also the satisfaction of building it with your own hands.