Curlew Job Corps Center

Approaching his 40th anniversary as a proud OPCMIA member, John D. Zapata, Jr., graduated from Local 783’s apprenticeship program in 1986. Since 2004, he has served as a cement mason instructor. “Starting my career as a basic cement mason instructor gave me the opportunity to work with young adults wanting to better themselves, therefore providing me with personal growth,” he said. “I was privileged to be offered the Advanced Cement Mason program several years into my career, affording me further opportunities to work with students eager to build upon their fundamental knowledge of cement masonry.”

Shaun Crooks graduated from the Cascades Job Corps Center in September 1999 and has been an OPCMIA member ever since. He went on to complete his cement mason apprenticeship from Local 555 in Portland, Oregon, in 2003, and he has been an instructor for the past 12 years. “During my training at Job Corps, my instructor (Fred Booth) really impressed me and I have always wanted to help people,” Shaun said. “As a student, I jokingly said I would come back and take his job. I stayed in contact with Fred and when an opportunity came up, I jumped at it. Coming back as an instructor and having been a student I think gives me a unique perspective when working with my students. I really enjoy helping make a difference in these young adults’ lives.”