From a young age, Local 1000 member Ethan Neville, knew he was destined to work in the construction industry.
Growing up, Neville kept himself busy working on cars and finding ways to expand his knowledge of the construction industry. After graduating high school, he used his knowledge to begin working as a heavy machinery rigger, traveling the country before making the courageous decision to become a union millwright. While learning the millwright way of things has posed some challenges for Neville, he has adjusted well and excelling quickly in his career.
Local 1000 business agent, Cliff Tucker and BHI supervisor, Jeff Kalfus, recommended Neville as the spotlighted member for March. “Ethan is doing a great job,” said Kalfus. “He has been dismantling components, rigging, and flying out parts, taking as found readings, installing seals, bearings, o-rings and gaskets. He has an important job of testing and resetting gearboxes for proper slippage alignments, while also installing motors and new couplings. He is working with other union millwright groups to ensure the outage is staying on schedule.”
While Neville is still early in his millwright career, the future looks bright for the young millwright. “From the day we interviewed Ethan for our apprenticeship program, he has shown great potential,” said Tucker. “He will be an asset to the trade for a long time and I look forward to seeing where his career takes him.”
Learn more about Neville through his answers to the questions below.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: During my free time, I enjoy working on my car, fishing, and spending time with my friends and family.
Q: Has your family been supportive during the time you have been a millwright, considering millwrights are always on the go?
A: Yes! My family and girlfriend have been very supportive thus far. With my previous job, they were used to me being away from home for long periods of time so it was not a huge adjustment for them.
Q: What is the most challenging thing about being a millwright?
A: The most challenging thing for me would be learning the millwright way to do things. Most days are never the same and there is always something new to learn.
Q: Each day is different; how do you overcome adversity and adjust to the ever-changing conditions that come with being a millwright?
A: Always keep an open mind and listen. Someone who has been in the field longer than you may know a different, more efficient way of doing things, therefore you should never shut them out. Listen.
Q: Describe your daily job/duties.
A: Right now, I’m working at the Saint Lucie nuclear plant. An average day consists of having a pre-job brief, safety meeting, and then another job brief with your foreman before you start your days’ work. With this job, we are working on water boxes that bring in water to cool the steam from the turbine and filters out the debris the water brings in.
Q: What do you like most about being part of Local 1000?
A: The working opportunities it has to offer to its members, along with the training you receive. The brotherhood is something special. Everyone is always willing to help one another.
Q: What made you decide to join and work as a millwright?
A: I was working on an airport job as a heavy machinery rigger and millwrights were also working on the same job. We talked some and it interested me, so I thought I would give it a try.
Q: What are your long-term goals in this field?
A: Someday I would like the opportunity to move up to a higher position in the UBC.
Q: When you wake up every morning and get ready to start the day, how do you approach the day?
A: I try to keep a positive attitude and go to working knowing there is always something I can learn or improve on.
Q: What is your favorite job you’ve worked and why?
A: The project at the nuclear plant that I’m working at now. It is a different pace of things and something I’ve never worked on before, so it intriguing to see and work on it all.
Q: Were you able to stay close to home with this trade?
A: Since starting my career as a millwright, I have been able to stay close to home for the most part. Being able to stay close to home is nice, however I do like to travel and I’m looking forward to other projects.
Q: What do you feel are some perks of being a member of the UBC?
A: The perks are endless. It’s nice to meet new people, travel and see things, work on projects that help power the country, and have a company that has your back.
Q: What does the brotherhood mean to you?
A: The brotherhood is something special. It’s a group of people that come together collectively to help each other grow in their career, while taking care of one another.
“The millwright trade has so much to offer,” said Neville. “They teach you everything you need to know and if you need help, there’s always someone there in your corner when you need them.”
To learn more about how you can begin your millwright career, click here.