Name: ROBERTO LOPEZ, III

Age: 26

High School: John Adams High School (NYCHA Resident)

Year Completed Training: 2008

Trade Affiliation: 1st Year Apprentice, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 1

Borough of Residence: Queens

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Meeting different people—I meet new people every day.

What is it like working on a construction site?
Fun! You have to make it enjoyable to feed yourself and your family. I joke around but I get my work done.

What was your experience like during the Construction Skills program?
Exhausting. The first week was really crazy.

What part of the Construction Skills program made the biggest impression on you?
Construction Skills gave me my opportunity into the trades. You guys actually came through and did what you said you were going to do.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in Construction Skills?
I told a lot of people about the program. Do you want to live your life in fear or watching over your shoulder or do you want an opportunity? If you want an opportunity, you should to this program because you can benefit so much from it. If you’re serious about becoming an honest person and you don’t mind hard labor, go into construction.