A Career Built on Craft, Pride, and Mentorship - "Talking Brick" with Jonathan Holsgrove

Описание: ULA Network Podcast Episode “Talking Brick”

Featuring Jonathan Holsgrove
Vice President & Field Representative | Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1 NY

In this episode of Talking Brick on the ULA Network Podcast, ULA Network Founder Mike Fina sits down with Jonathan Holsgrove to share a powerful story of resilience, mentorship, and purpose — and how careers in the unionized skilled trades can transform lives.

Jonathan’s journey into the trades was anything but traditional.
After being drafted to play professional baseball out of high school, an injury ended that dream. He then pursued a career in law enforcement, earning a degree in criminal justice — only to have that path cut short after surviving an accidental shooting during the NYPD hiring process.

Instead of giving up, Jonathan reinvented himself once again.
Through relationships and exposure to the labor movement, he entered the construction industry and was sponsored into BAC Local 1 — a decision he describes as life-changing.

🔨 A Career Built on Craft, Pride, and Mentorship

Working under respected mentors like Gino Marquez, Jonathan learned a core lesson that continues to guide him today:

Take pride in your work — and always leave it better than you found it.

That mindset propelled him beyond the job site and into leadership roles that would allow him to impact the future of the industry.

His work with the International Masonry Institute helped promote union masonry across the construction ecosystem — from architects to developers — before eventually leading him into a pivotal role in safety training.

Following serious scaffold incidents in New York City, Jonathan helped shape the modern safety training standards still used today — including contributing to the development of Chapter 33 safety regulations.

He later became Director of Training at the Mason Tenders Training Fund, where he helped oversee:
✔ Apprenticeship pathways
✔ OSHA & SST certification programs
✔ Ongoing upskilling for over 2,500 members annually

Today, those programs help ensure that union members not only build careers — but return home safely every day.

🎓 Training Centers: Where Careers Begin

Jonathan emphasized that today’s construction careers start in training centers.

Unlike past generations who often learned trades through family connections, many young workers now enter with no prior exposure to union labor or skilled trades.

Training programs provide:
Hands-on learning
Industry certifications
Safety education
Mentorship
Leadership development

These centers are not just teaching technical skills — they are shaping careers, work ethic, and understanding of the labor movement’s impact on society.

🚧 The Future of the Trades
Jonathan shared a compelling perspective on the future workforce:
As college costs rise and automation expands into white-collar industries, the skilled trades offer a powerful alternative pathway.

In four years:
➡️ A college graduate may accumulate debt
➡️ A union apprentice can earn income, benefits, and certifications

And one thing remains true: AI can’t lay brick.

He believes the next generation — particularly millennials and Gen Z — will increasingly recognize the long-term value of skilled trades as stable, meaningful, and financially rewarding careers.

🤝 Brotherhood, Opportunity, and Purpose

Throughout the conversation, Jonathan reinforced that union trades are built on teamwork, mentorship, and solidarity.

Leadership isn’t just about contracts — it’s about:
✔ Guiding members
✔ Supporting career growth
✔ Ensuring safety
✔ Creating opportunity

And most importantly: Helping people build a better life through meaningful work.

💬 Final Takeaway

Jonathan’s story is proof that career paths aren’t always linear — but with mentorship, opportunity, and determination, the union trades offer a powerful platform for growth.

Whether coming from athletics, academia, or uncertainty about the future — the apprenticeship pathway can be a golden ticket to:
Financial stability
Lifelong skills
Community impact
Career pride

📢 Interested in learning more about union apprenticeship opportunities?Follow the ULA Network and BAC Local 1 to explore life-changing careers in the skilled trades.

Visit: www.baclocal1ny.org / www.ulanetwork.com

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