Building Maintenance Repairer Apprenticeship: John Evan

John Evan knows that when you live in a rural Alaska community, you have to be resourceful. There’s no Home Depot on the corner, and if you need a repairman the closest one may well be the guy looking back at you in the mirror. Evan lives in Lower Kalskag, a village of 260. Perched on the banks of the Kuskowkwim River, the Native community lies about 100 river miles from the Bering Sea and is accessible only by boat or airplane.

Already a skilled handyman, Evan saw a flyer at the local post office that offered pre-employment training for a housing project for his community. He wanted a job but didn’t realize until he attended the pre-employment training that he could take skills he already possessed and build them into a career. Alaska Works Partnership delivered the training in partnership with the Association of Village Council Presidents Regional Housing Authority. After Allen completed the training, he applied to become a registered Building Maintenance Repairer (BMR) apprentice.

Developed by Alaska Works Partnership, BMR apprenticeship provides training to build, maintain, repair, and renovate housing and public buildings. In many ways, a BMR is a “jack-of-all-trades” with proficiency in a wide range of construction skills such as electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, welding, and sheetmetal work. Seventeen different trade Unions work together to teach BMR apprentices the many aspects of the construction trade industry.

Evan is halfway through his 4000 hours of BMR apprenticeship training and has already helped to build nine homes in his village. Allan enjoys the kind of hands-on work that can be measured by the increased quality of life in his own community. He likes traveling to the training classes in Bethel and St. Mary’s and enjoys meeting new people. Evan intends to pass on his skills to his four children.

The BMR apprenticeship offers a variety of challenges but also tremendous rewards. Allen says, “Its’ all very interesting. I’m still learning something new every day.” [MORE]