St. Louis Job Corps Center

A cement mason with 24 years of experience, Brian Fierros graduated from his OPCMIA apprenticeship in 1997 and is a member of OPCMIA Local #394 in Phoenix. He was a Job Corps instructor for five years before becoming regional coordinator one year ago. “As an instructor, Job Corps impacted me both personally and professionally,” he said. “I am passionate about being a cement mason and have now had the great opportunity to teach the craft to our youth. One of the biggest rewards is to hear from my former students, thanking me for teaching them and hearing how positive and meaningful their lives are now.”

A third-generation cement mason with more than 30 years of experience as a member of OPCMIA Local 527, George Davis has served as an instructor at the St. Louis Job Corps Center since 2015. “I am grateful to be involved with this program,” he said, “and constantly changing to prepare our students for the responsibilities of a pre-apprentice Cement Mason.

A 1992 graduate of the St. Louis Job Corps Program, Clyde Latham has been an OPCMIA member for 26 years. He worked as a plasterer until 2011, when he joined the National Plastering Industry’s Joint Apprenticeship Trust Fund. “Job Corps has truly made a difference in my career as a Plastering Instructor,” he said. “The training I received allowed me to further advance my skills and knowledge in the Plastering Trade. As an actual student and graduate of Job Corps, I am always pleased to see other young adults take advantage of the great career opportunities offered here at the St. Louis Job Corps Center.”