Shannon Sampson | Allied Painting Inc. industrial bridge painter
Shannon Sampson began working for Allied Painting Inc. in July, shortly after completing a pre-apprenticeship program at Building Futures, a Providence-based, nonprofit partnership. The 32-year-old Cranston resident was working at an eye doctor’s office before deciding to move to construction. She says working in the industry has increased her confidence and opened her eyes to her own problem-solving skills.
1. Now that you’ve been on the job for a short time, do you think that the program properly prepared you to work in construction? Absolutely. Building Futures’ pre-apprenticeship taught me the mechanics of the work – it taught me how to lift properly. It taught me how to use tools. The program gave us information about each trade but not specifics. It didn’t go into depth about bridge painting, the apprenticeship I joined. But I gained a good overall understanding of what I was stepping into. The five-week training was physically demanding, the way it is on the job. … For most of my life, I gave my power away. This experience has taught me to take my power back in a positive way.
2. Were you at all hesitant to seek a job in an industry that still has relatively few female workers? Going into something new and unknown can be a little nerve-wracking. I knew, being a woman, that I was going to have to do more to gain the respect of my co-workers. Some men have a perception that a woman on the job site is weaker or isn’t capable of doing the job. I have found big satisfaction in going on the job site and showing these men that, yes, I may be a woman, but I am as capable, if not more. It’s a motivator; it pushes my drive to want to be the best I can be.
3. What do you think employers and the state should do to make the industry more welcoming to women? It would be more welcoming if there were more women on the job site. I think if it were more of a known option for women, more women would step out. I don’t know how many other programs there are like Building Futures.
4. What benefits does the industry offer that might be appealing to younger workers? A pension and an annuity, health insurance and the pay altogether mean I can do this work and be self-sufficient. I care about having that financial security down the road. Especially with society today – a lot of jobs don’t have pensions. It’s either 401(k) or nothing. A lot of employers don’t give health insurance. Or if they do, it’s not a good plan.
5. Are you planning on making construction a career? Absolutely. I like working with my hands and staying busy. I tried the office route. I worked for an eye doctor. I’ve done some housecleaning and other jobs. Going through Building Futures showed me how much I love working with my hands.
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN contributing writer.