Carpenter: 'Always something to learn' BY FRANCINE KNOWLES, Chicago Sun-Times
Today we spotlight Gilmore, a second-year apprentice carpenter who has worked at the Merchandise Mart for about five months and makes $16.66 an hour.
The path: Gilmore often helped the friend of an uncle with carpentry jobs, including installing stairs and roofs, before he received any formal training. For Gilmore the work was basically a side job, but he always liked the work.
While working at a Marshall Field & Co. warehouse, he opted to pursue formal training following a conversation with two long-time friends.
"It was funny," he said. "We'd never talked about each others' job situation, but one Sunday we were together watching a football game, and they told me what they did. They were both carpenters."
His friends encouraged him to apply for the four-year Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters Apprentice and Training Program.