FEATURE STORY

The journey Continues

By: R.D. Gibson

There are a plethora of inspirational quotes about journeys. We can cite the timeless wisdom from Maya Angelou, Paolo Coehlo, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Drake, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Pope Francis to name a few. Sometimes we find their profound words of encouragement posted on social media, hanging on someone’s wall as art, or in the Notes application as boosts of serotonin needed throughout the day. Literary fanatics can dissect, analyze, and study their meaning. They become shaped around metaphors and similes to give us perspective and illustrate passion.

We can look at the stories of heroes - real and mythological - and see how they persevered through struggle and analyze their character traits. From legends like Gilgamesh and Hercules to the Hobbits of the Shire and David who slayed Goliath, the allusions all demonstrate a character’s journey toward something readers can emulate. Sometimes life’s greatest journeys are ones that spring out of nowhere, yet motivate us to reach our greatest heights.

For nearly eight decades, there has been a Registered Apprenticeship system in place to meet the needs of the skilled labor workforce in America. It is a training system, which brings together technical instruction with on-the-job experience, which is meant to prepare workers to compete for work. Moreover, the system has continuously kept up with advancing technologies and innovations to fit the unique needs of industries in the present day.

The Registered Apprenticeship bridges the gap between workers searching for high-skilled, high-paying jobs and employers looking to build quality workforce with employees who fit the bill. It provides an immediate job for apprentices who receive an incremental wage, which increases as they become more proficient. “Apprenticeships range from one to six years, but the majority are four years in length,” an Apprenticeship Guam informational sheet from the Guam Department of Labor website stated. Additionally, the Registered Apprenticeship program participants receive a nationally recognized credential, which certifies proficiency in their field.

The informational sheet states the different program designs available for the Registered Apprenticeship Programs, including Time-based, competency/performance, and a hybrid model, which is simply a combination of time and performance. According to Phyllis Topasna, Program Coordinator at the American Job Center at the Guam Department of Labor, “Registered apprenticeship is employer driven so prospective applicants must apply directly with the employer. Once selected, the apprentice will undergo on-the-job training and classroom training in a specific occupation.” Topasna added journeyworkers only need to be recognized by their employers regarding their knowledge, skills, and abilities of a journeyworker. “They do not need a certification of recognition as a journeyworker,” Topasna stated. “When apprentices complete their program requirements, they are recognized as journeyworkers from that point on,” Topasna continued.

Moreover, Topasna added after employers have attest proficiency, they submit an application for certification of completion of apprenticeship to the registration agency, in this case the Guam Department of Labor. This certificate is portable and recognizes the holder as a journeyworker in Guam, the United States, and other countries, as well.

To entice employees and employers alike, the Guam Department of Labor has a Guam Registered Apprenticeship Program for eligible businesses. The program emphasizes several win-win descriptors including reducing highly skilled workers’ shortage, employer incentives to hire and train apprentices in trades and jobs, as well as authorizing ‘tax credits for certain long-term apprenticeship training expenses’, and stimulate the economy.

The GRAP provides tax credit incentives to businesses who have hired apprentices who are enrolled and registered in the program. “Eligible businesses are entitled to tax credits against their gross receipts tax liability equal to fifty percent of the eligible training costs paid or incurred by the business,” according to the fact sheet found on the GDOL website.

Currently there are 659 active Apprentices on island, and their occupations span across several industries and trades, including Accounting Technician, Diesel mechanics, Customer Service Representatives, Automobile Mechanic, Computer Programmers, Finance specialists, IT Generalists, Heating & Air-Conditioner Installer/Servicer, Medical Assistant, Nurse Assistant Certified, Painter, Paramedic, Purchasing Agents, Telecommunications Technician and Welder-Fitter, among a litany of other highly-skilled positions.

Recently, a few companies have had their apprentices become journeyworkers. They are Damien Khoo, an electrician of Amorient Engineering, Thomas Aguon, Jr.,

a Heating and Air-Conditioner Installer with DZSP21, LLC, and David Contreras, also a Heating and Air-Conditioner Installer with Guam Energy Solutions, Inc. (GESI). For all three, it seemed to be more than just a journey, but a growing experience in stepping outside of comfort zones, expanding their horizons for the future, and being better than before a project starts. Khoo is an Electrician with the Amorient Engineering who said he enjoyed his work as an apprentice and wanted to continue learning about the trade and “how I could become more well equipped.” He described his journeyworker status as “another step in the right direction for my career.” He explained how the instructor in the electrical program was “thorough and dedicated”. This contributed to his learning of many topics, including electrical theory, codes, and electrical calculations, which were part of the training; “[His instructor’s teaching] made the learning process that much easier to comprehend and retain,” he added. Khoo added how the skills learned in the apprenticeship have helped “immensely, provided more options for advancement and raised the bar on projects I am capable of performing.”

a Heating and Air-Conditioner Installer with DZSP21, LLC, For Thomas Aguon, Jr. Heating and Air Conditioner and David Contreras, also a Heating and Air-Conditioner Installer at DZSP21, LLC, his motivation was looking at Installer with Guam Energy Solutions, Inc. (GESI). For the bigger picture. “Starting out I looked into things that all three, it seemed to be more than just a journey, but a I would benefit from in the long run, one of those was the growing experience in stepping outside of comfort zones, apprenticeship,” he stated matter-of-factly. For Aguon, expanding their horizons for the future, and being better Jr., the experience was not just the math and science than before a project starts. behind the air conditioning theory, but it also helped build his confidence. “[Being a journeyworker] means that I can Khoo is an Electrician with the Amorient Engineering who confidently take on the tasks of my trade, knowing that I said he enjoyed his work as an apprentice and wanted to can complete them.,” he stated” continue learning about the trade and “how I could become more well equipped.” He described his journeyworker He mentioned picking up the trades skills became second status as “another step in the right direction for my career.” nature to him, but added how he stepped out of his comfort zone with paperwork requirements and working He explained how the instructor in the electrical program with customers. “[The apprenticeship] has helped me was “thorough and dedicated”. This contributed to his to approach all tasks with a perspective that I never did learning of many topics, including electrical theory, codes, before, and it aids me to properly inform customers of the and electrical calculations, which were part of the training; issues with their facilities and equipment in a way that “[His instructor’s teaching] made the learning process they can fully understand if they went through the same that much easier to comprehend and retain,” he added. process I did,” he stated. Khoo added how the skills learned in the apprenticeship have helped “immensely, provided more options for David Contreras, a Heating and Air-Conditioner Installer advancement and raised the bar on projects I am capable with GESI, stated right off the bat, “I realize there is still so of performing.” much to learn and experience in this field and I’m eager to learn more.” He cited his initial eagerness to advance

For Thomas Aguon, Jr. Heating and Air Conditioner Installer at DZSP21, LLC, his motivation was looking at the bigger picture. “Starting out I looked into things that I would benefit from in the long run, one of those was the apprenticeship,” he stated matter-of-factly. For Aguon, Jr., the experience was not just the math and science behind the air conditioning theory, but it also helped build his confidence. “[Being a journeyworker] means that I can confidently take on the tasks of my trade, knowing that I can complete them.,” he stated” He mentioned picking up the trades skills became second nature to him, but added how he stepped out of his comfort zone with paperwork requirements and working with customers. “[The apprenticeship] has helped me to approach all tasks with a perspective that I never did before, and it aids me to properly inform customers of the issues with their facilities and equipment in a way that they can fully understand if they went through the same process I did,” he stated. David Contreras, a Heating and Air-Conditioner Installer with GESI, stated right off the bat, “I realize there is still so much to learn and experience in this field and I’m eager to learn more.” He cited his initial eagerness to advance

Thomas Aguon, Jr.

DZSP21, LLC

Damien Khoo

Amorient Engineering

David Contreras

Guam Energy Solutions, Inc. (GESI)

his career and better provide for his family. For Contreras, the idea of journeywork is learning more and continuing to better himself in the field. Contreras mentioned balance was a bit difficult with his family, school, work, and life; he added, “When something is thrown my way, I try to address the issue first hand and follow through.” He emphasized how it took a lot of discipline and hard work to become a journeyworker. “Failing in order to identify my weaknesses so that I may strengthen those areas” seemed to be part of a growth he experienced and is the result of making mistakes. Additionally, he stated how the COVID-19 pandemic had slowed things down for him, but he was able to bounce right back on the path toward his goals.

his career and better provide for his family. For Contreras, ‘Go get your credentials even if you are more skilled than the idea of journeywork is learning more and continuing to those without them’. It will make you just that much more better himself in the field. valuable to your employer.”

Now Contreras stated the skills he learned have allowed him to walk into situations and know what to do and where to start; “identify the issue, know what materials are needed so I can plan my work and work my plan.”

Contreras mentioned balance was a bit difficult with his Scott continued saying how companies are looking for the family, school, work, and life; he added, “When something absolute best employees, and journeyworkers have the is thrown my way, I try to address the issue first hand capabilities of helping companies build them up, adding a and follow through.” He emphasized how it took a lot lot of value to their organizations, and even more so to the of discipline and hard work to become a journeyworker. journeyworker themselves. “Failing in order to identify my weaknesses so that I may strengthen those areas” seemed to be part of a growth The journeyworkers all unanimously encourage other he experienced and is the result of making mistakes. apprentices to go for their journeyworker credentials. Khoo Additionally, he stated how the COVID-19 pandemic had stated, “You won’t regret it!” Sharing that learning any skills slowed things down for him, but he was able to bounce will help in the future. Aguon, Jr. suggested the credentials right back on the path toward his goals. as a way of investing in oneself, especially if one of your goals is moving to the next level. Contreras advised to Now Contreras stated the skills he learned have allowed stay motivated, focused, and never stop learning. “There him to walk into situations and know what to do and where is always something new to learn…this trade is forever to start; “identify the issue, know what materials are needed changing,” he emoted. “It will always keep you interested.” so I can plan my work and work my plan.”

Mary Jo Pablo, Business Manager at Amorient Engineering stated that Khoo is the organization’s only journeyworker currently. “Although it is not typical of an engineering firm to hire a journeyman electrician, we felt it was a good foundation for his role within Amorient,” Pablo stated. Pablo continued how Khoo holds multiple ICC certifications to perform special inspections and supports other electrical and other professional engineers. These supports include field verifications and assisting in the design process by performing AutoCAD drafting for electrical and other projects, Pablo added. “Amorient encourages all of our staff to receive certifications in their area of expertise as it benefits the individual employee and the whole organization,” Pablo shared. Lynn Scott, President and CEO of Green Energy Solutions, Inc. (GESI) stated that Contreras is also their only journeyworker. Scott added they will have two more employees achieve their journeyworker credentials within the year. “They are in high demand and there are so few of them on Guam,” Scott remarked.

There are three different journeyworkers in this feature; Mary Jo Pablo, Business Manager at Amorient Engineering all with different backgrounds, but with a commonality stated that Khoo is the organization’s only journeyworker to move forward with a skillset, with the support of their currently. “Although it is not typical of an engineering employers and determination, inspiration, and confidence firm to hire a journeyman electrician, we felt it was a to get the job done. good foundation for his role within Amorient,” Pablo stated. Pablo continued how Khoo holds multiple ICC No matter what the journey may be, there is always certifications to perform special inspections and supports something to learn. New skills, strengths, and probably other electrical and other professional engineers. These even motivation for the next steps beyond, for the next supports include field verifications and assisting in the adventure. design process by performing AutoCAD drafting for electrical and other projects, Pablo added. “Amorient It could have been easy to use a quote from a great encourages all of our staff to receive certifications in their philosopher or prolific author to begin, and even end this area of expertise as it benefits the individual employee and feature, but some things need to be able to stand on their the whole organization,” Pablo shared. own as beacons of inspiration. The words are all around to keep us motivated, but the stories of accomplishments Lynn Scott, President and CEO of Green Energy Solutions, and personal journeys can speak louder than a quote we Inc. (GESI) stated that Contreras is also their only can easily Google. journeyworker. Scott added they will have two more employees achieve their journeyworker credentials within the year. “They are in high demand and there are so few of them on Guam,” Scott remarked. Scott restated how journeyworker credentials are in high demand, but added how they demonstrate a willingness to learn, a commitment to learning a craft, and a level of knowledge that can be readily deployed by that employer. Scott shared how there are very skilled trades workers who have not received their credentials yet. “To them I say ‘Go get your credentials even if you are more skilled than those without them’. It will make you just that much more valuable to your employer.” Scott continued saying how companies are looking for the absolute best employees, and journeyworkers have the capabilities of helping companies build them up, adding a lot of value to their organizations, and even more so to the journeyworker themselves. The journeyworkers all unanimously encourage other apprentices to go for their journeyworker credentials. Khoo stated, “You won’t regret it!” Sharing that learning any skills will help in the future. Aguon, Jr. suggested the credentials as a way of investing in oneself, especially if one of your goals is moving to the next level. Contreras advised to stay motivated, focused, and never stop learning. “There is always something new to learn…this trade is forever changing,” he emoted. “It will always keep you interested.” There are three different journeyworkers in this feature; all with different backgrounds, but with a commonality to move forward with a skillset, with the support of their employers and determination, inspiration, and confidence to get the job done. No matter what the journey may be, there is always something to learn. New skills, strengths, and probably even motivation for the next steps beyond, for the next adventure. It could have been easy to use a quote from a great philosopher or prolific author to begin, and even end this feature, but some things need to be able to stand on their own as beacons of inspiration. The words are all around to keep us motivated, but the stories of accomplishments and personal journeys can speak louder than a quote we can easily Google.

Scott restated how journeyworker credentials are in high demand, but added how they demonstrate a willingness to learn, a commitment to learning a craft, and a level of knowledge that can be readily deployed by that employer. Scott shared how there are very skilled trades workers who have not received their credentials yet. “To them I say