Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Apprentice helps build a better Cascade Campus

Photos and story by James Hill

CASCADE CAMPUS – Tomas Romero is the jack-of-all-trades at Portland Community College Cascade Campus’ construction sites.Romero is a labor apprentice and works on everything, from operating heavy machinery to applying carpentry skills and any task in-between that needs to be done. "It’s a job that gives me an opportunity to learn new things,"he said.For the last six years, the Aloha resident has been an apprentice with Walsh Construction. He is in the midst of several construction projects at the Cascade Campus, all progressing at a dramatic rate. In conjunction with the recently renovated Terrell Hall, Walsh Co. is overseeing construction of the new technology classroom facility, a remodel of the old Renaissance Market for public service education programs, and the physical education building.From grading to framing to finishing work, Romero is there from start to finish. He estimates he works on 15-20 job sites a year. On one rainy day, he was assisting a fellow worker in surveying the foundation of the new technology building. This will enable them to rest the slabs of concrete evenly, which will be the basis of the first floor. There are many things he must keep in mind as he works."The toughest thing about my job is trying to stay sharp,"Romero said. "There are so many things going on at the site, from people, vehicles and heavy machinery, I must stay alert. And I have to be as accurate as I can with my measurements. My coworkers have to able to trust me."Romero, who is engaged to be married, came to Oregon 13 years ago from Mexico City at the age of 16. He said he came to Oregon, "for the adrenaline rush. I was young at the time and came up to work, do something new,"he said."The biggest thrill is taking nothing and turning it into something,"Romero added. "You can do whatever you want to do in this line of work. There are no limits here."Eventually, Romero would like to be his own boss and use the knowledge he has gained from working as an apprentice. But for now, Romero said working on the PCC-Cascade projects has given him a sense of pride that he is helping a community."As I stand in line at the caf’ in the Student Center Building, I can see the difference being made in the faces of the students. They are trying to get educated and hopefully they can make it out of college and make a difference in the world,"Romero said. "From the bottom up, it’s exciting to be a part of the construction of a structure that will be here years from now being used by students and the community."PCC’s Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business (MWESB) effort is an outreach program set up through the 2000 construction bond. The program networks with key organizations and businesses in the community to help spread contract money to underrepresented workers and companies. With this project, the MWESB program is also making a commitment to women and minority apprentices to help them move toward journey status by providing opportunities.With this initiative, PCC has allocated $6.7 million to date in contract money toward women, minority or emerging small businesses for the construction projects. Minority and females make up nearly one-third of all apprentices being used at PCC work sites. From September to December of 2003, more than 72,800 hours of training on construction projects were performed by MWESB apprentices.