INTERVIEW WITH TREVOR BURKE How old are you? What high school did you attend? What borough are you from? I am 22 years old. I went to Thomas Edison High School and I am from Queens. How many years into your apprenticeship are you? I’m in my fourth year right now. Which construction trade did you join? Why? I joined the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 15. I went to a symposium with Diane Springer, Director of Construction Skills, and I was intrigued by a rubber tire excavator and cherry picker. I was interested in learning how to use that type of equipment. What do you enjoy most about your work? It allows me to open up a third eye that I have never had. It works my brain, and has taught me how to work safely, with people around me. There are times when I feel that have the people’s lives around me in my hands, and my goal is always to go home safely at the end of the day to my family. My work is challenging: it keeps my blood flowing, being on the site, rather than working in an office environment. I have to be on point and focused at work each day. You have to be attentive and know what you are doing and alert at all times. What is like working with others, on site? For me, since I’m so young, the men are like father figures to me. They teach me a lot about everyday life, like family and they also teach me how to repair and run the machinery. [This experience] allows me to be a leader in life, and it helps me make decisions. I often ask my fellow tradesmen for advice, and they haven’t led me wrong yet. Where are you currently working? I’m at the World Trade Center; it is a big honor to be a part of history. I fly tower cranes, I run every piece of equipment that I can get my hands on, and I also do mechanics and I repair. The Operating Engineers on the job are with me, showing me how to become a better engineer. The guys always tell me that they teach me so that one day I will know more than them, and they help me fix my mistakes so I can become excellent at what I do. It is a very proud Local, and they show you how to do things the right way and the safe way. What do you think are the best parts about the Construction Skills program? It’s a wonderful program. It allows children coming out of high school to have an alternative route, other than going to college, but to be a successful person in life. The program allowed me to hold my head up high and be proud of what I do. I am indebted to the program and I would love to give back in any way. It shows me that I can do what I want in life without going to college; and for me it is like a second chance. If you put your best effort out, you get a return on your investment. I put my all into what I do, and I’m reaping the benefits.