Jonathan Beltran
“My name is Jonathan Beltran I lived in Brooklyn New York for the past 26 years and been in the construction business for the past seven years. When I first was introduced to the business I worked for a company that gave me no training or knowledge about the job all I was required to have was a 10 hour osha training card and that made me qualified to be on the site and work alongside men that also did not have enough knowledge to train me or teach me the right way. I’ve worked with them for 4 years and witnessed a couple of ugly accidents that could have been prevented with training and knowledge. I can testify that a 10 hour OSHA certificate DOES NOT make someone qualified to work safely and professionally on a jobsite.
Now I am a second year Apprentice and received enough knowledge and education to understand the rules and regulation to work in New York City. I also can say I now just don’t have a job I have a career. I have a career that provided health benefits for my family and I and provides fair wages to have an honest living in New York City. It provides a retirement so the government does not have to subside as I get older. And the best part about it is that all the training I received is free, paid by unions and contractors. With this being said I honestly hope you guys can really take into consideration that by passing the Apprenticeship Bill 1447 that it WILL SAVE INNOCENT LIVES. THANK YOU, for your time and consideration of this mater.” – Jonathan Beltran