Caden Aquino - Roofing Careers Rock - PODCAST TRANSCRIPTION

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with WTI roofing technician apprentice Caden Aquino. You can read the interview below or listen to the podcast.

Speaker 1: Welcome to Roofing Road Trips with Heidi. Explore the roofing industry through the eyes of a long-term professional within the trade. Listen for insights, interviews, and exciting news in the roofing industry today.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Hello and welcome to another Roofing Road Trips from RoofersCoffeeShop. This one's actually a videocast, so we are bringing it live to you. I am here with Caden Aquino with WTI. Caden, welcome to the show.

Caden Aquino: Thank you for having me.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Hey, we're so excited. I love this topic, careers in roofing. Love it and what you all are doing with the apprenticeship program. But before we get started, why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell us what you do with Tremco WTI.

Caden Aquino: Yeah. My name's Caden Aquino and I work for WTI Tremco and I'm a roof inspector.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Very cool. So, we're here today to talk about the WTI apprenticeship. You and the team at WTI have put together an amazing program. So, can you share some of the history of the WTI apprenticeship program with everyone?

Caden Aquino: Yeah, it's not that complicated. It's pretty easy for the most part. Good communication and, like I said, it's pretty easy. And as long as you have communicate well with other people, it works out fine.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah. One of the things that I've really appreciated about this WTI apprenticeship is the fact that you all, I know with a number of senior members there, put together a program that made it very easy for anyone coming in as a new employee to start their apprenticeship and actually work towards construction management programs, journeymen, the whole nine yards. So tell us, how did you get involved with the apprenticeship program kind of when you got hired? How did that all happen and work?

Caden Aquino: Yeah. So when I kind of got hired, I was kind of new because I worked at a factory before all this when I graduated high school. I was kind of new to everything and I contacted Joseph Lee and he actually got me this job being a roof inspector. Again, never been on a roof, wasn't sure what it all meant. And I kind of just worked with some good employees and got involved learning different roof systems, different techniques. And then I get an email one day on my phone saying about this apprenticeship program, and talked with friends and family, and finally got set up with it and it just kind of took off and I love it ever since.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I love it. Well, tell us, give us a little example of how it worked. When you started the apprenticeship, what were some of the things that you needed to do within your job, but also a little extra?

Caden Aquino: Yeah. So what I needed to do was obviously get in touch with the right people, make sure communication is key, like I said. How I divided work with my schooling is basically because you can work and do school, that's one of the benefits, you just spent 30 minutes a day just kind of working and logging on, checking your emails, your school emails and your work emails, and just doing your thing.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: All right. What were some of the classes, what were some of the first trainings that you did?

Caden Aquino: So my first trainings, I can't remember right off the top of my head, but it was more how to read specs and how to read drawings and how do things and different jobs and stuff like that.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: That's great. And I know WTI and Tremco, they really lead with safety. Tell us about your safety classes in OSHA. 10 and 30, right?

Caden Aquino: That's a big part in Tremco. We really lead with safety. What we do is usually go on a meeting like this, a Teams meeting, and we communicate, or we're in person doing all these trainings and communication drills.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Wow, that's cool. So now tell us, what certification level do you have in OSHA?

Caden Aquino: OSHA 30.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: OSHA 30. So, perfect. Okay. So in talking to other young people out there, why should other people look at this opportunity like what you have right now with WTI?

Caden Aquino: Yeah. Like I said, it's a nice program because one good thing, it's free. You don't have to pay for it. The company takes care of everything. It's a good education and you can keep working towards your associate's, your master's... Well, none of your master's. Your bachelor's. And it's a good opportunity for you to move up in Tremco and learn, like I said, drawing specs and just learning different opportunities.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: That's good. So right now you're working on your associate's in construction management, right?

Caden Aquino: Correct. Correct.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Right. And then once you get through that, then you go on to the... And is it University of Ohio, right?

Caden Aquino: University of Akron.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Of Akron. Sorry about that. Yeah, in Ohio. And I know you have a great partnership with them. I mean, we're just seeing how many young people... And not just young people. New people to Tremco are taking advantage of this program. And you said that it opens up a lot of doors just knowing a lot of people who work at Tremco and WTI. I think they're awesome. They've been there for a long time. I mean, there's people 30 years plus. So, do you look at this as that kind of long-term career?

Caden Aquino: Yeah. So it's kind of funny because just around the area I live in, there's a lot of great guys that I work with and I get to see on a daily basis. And it's kind kind of cool seeing how long they've been here and they talk about certain stuff like that. Yeah, it is cool. And then I hope to one day get finished with this school, hopefully soon, and then move up like they did. And that's the great opportunity the schooling brings. You can move up after you're done with this.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I love it. And when you think about how much it costs to go to college nowadays and the loans and everything that goes along with that, this program just takes all that away. I mean, once you start, you can get a full education by just working for WTI and Tremco.

Caden Aquino: Yeah. And that's one of the great things because a lot of jobs would recommend you have schooling and work experience. And with just regular schools or colleges, you don't get the experience when you graduate from college right away. And then with this program, you get to go to college, you get to learn, like I said, and then you already have three, four years of experience and that helps a ton. Just in the work environment, learning how to talk to people, communication skills, stuff like that. It's awesome.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah. Because you're out there as doing roof inspections, you're meeting some of the building owners and facility managers, right?

Caden Aquino: Yeah. And it took a lot of learning. And that's one of the cool things. I used to hate talking to people. I used to stutter a lot and like, "Oh, I can't do this." Well, a friend of mine, Robert Weekly, that actually works here, he kind of taught me and took me under his wing and just said, "Hey, this is how you should go about it. Get the customer's attention and then make them feel like you're their buddies, friends, or whatever and then go from there and then [inaudible 00:07:46]."

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I love it. And you know what? And here you are now on a videocast with me.

Caden Aquino: Yeah, I was super nervous about it, but not seeing you face to face, it's makes it a lot better.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah. This is just fun because I am so interested in this career path that I think a lot of people are not talking about that's available in roofing. And especially when you're looking at WTI and what they've done to make it so accessible to young people. So, do you talk to other folks your age and friends and tell them they should get involved with this?

Caden Aquino: Oh, all the time. I mean, there's a ton of people my age that's we're hiring left and right, and I [inaudible 00:08:23] to them all the time. I don't think they quite understand and hopefully this podcast will make them understand you can work and do this, no money, and it's pretty easy as long as you get on 30 minutes a day... Even 15 minutes today. Even look at your emails on Monday. "Let me see. I got this to do, I got this to do. Well, okay, I don't have time to do it right now, but maybe Tuesday. I already know what I have to do. I can prep for everything and get it all figured out." And then working here, it's a good experience also because I can text my supervisor and just say, "Hey, I'm really struggling doing this paper, this essay, or just in general putting together papers," and he'll say, "Yeah, take your time. You got today off." And obviously with rain days. It's raining today. And so it's a great opportunity. You can come on here, do your schoolwork, and get it done.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: And you get to do that schoolwork during your regular hours, which is just so great. Yeah. I mean, I know you can do it other times too, but-

Caden Aquino: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yep.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: And like you said, it wasn't hard to apply for it.

Caden Aquino: No, it's not. I mean, I got the email while I was on a job site and I emailed them right back and I said, "Yes, I would love to do..." They do everything for you, so I'm not signing up for classes or doing any of that stuff like you would do in an actual college. You would just text back or email back and say, "Hey, I want to do this many courses. What do I have to do?" And they're like, "We got everything covered." And then you get it online and it's already right there and you just start your courses.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah. See, it's so great. So for everyone listening too, just in case they're kind of going, "Now, who is this again? Because this is so cool." Tremco and the installation arm, WTI, Weatherproofing Technology Incorporated, they have put this whole program together. So a lot of people when they first get hired into WTI will start out as apprenticeships, and then they get these offers to actually start taking in classes and get their construction management associate or bachelor's degree, or work their way all the way up to the bachelor's. And so it's kind of two different things, but it all works together. Right? So, Caden, by the time you kind of work through the first of the apprenticeships and the safety classes and everything, and by the time you get to the construction management and start taking classes, it all makes sense.

Caden Aquino: Yeah, it really does. Yeah. So like you said, you start off by taking apprenticeship classes or just kind of courses that can take you five hours. You can go through all the programs and make sure you're doing all those. And then as moving forward, you obviously get this involvement and you go through the University of Akron after you're all done with that. And this is easy. So easy.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Easy. That's great. And I love the fact that you said that you can text other folks at WTI or supervisors or whoever and say, "Hey, I'm having problems with this. Can you help me?" Because there's all this knowledge around you.

Caden Aquino: Oh yeah. I mean, even the old timers... Hate saying old timers. You can text them or calling them and say, "Hey, look, I'm really having trouble with this to answer. Can you guys give me your input?" And they will and they won't be scared. And then when you take it to either work or schooling.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Or school. Or both. Right? So, how have you felt... I mean, I talk to a lot of young people who are coming into construction or into roofing and sometimes it may not feel incredibly inclusive or you're feeling maybe not accepted, but that doesn't sound like the case with you. How has that been coming into Tremco and WTI?

Caden Aquino: Yeah, it really feels like a family here. I work with a really great supervisor and some great employees. And then like I said, just around the area where I live, there's some really great people and we meet up. I mean, I'll go to the shop down here and my partner and I will talk and talk and talk and talk. Next thing you know, my fiance will be texting me, "Where you at?" I'm like, "Well, we just start talking about roofing and then schooling and then get people involved." That's our plan and it's great.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah. That's awesome.

Caden Aquino: I say to my friends that... They're like, "I'd love to do what you do." I'm like, "Well, come on board." It's so easy. It's an email. That's all it takes, is an email.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Right. And let's just say Tremco and WTI are hiring. They're looking.

Caden Aquino: Oh yeah. All the time.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: All the time. I know. So, any timelines on when you're going to be possibly finishing up that construction management degree?

Caden Aquino: Yeah. So this summer, I want to take summer classes, want to take fall classes. I don't really want a break. That's how easy it is.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: That's awesome.

Caden Aquino: And [inaudible 00:13:34] keep going, keep going, keep going. Because my fiance kind of motivated me. She got everything. Her bachelor's, her master's, and she's going for a chancellor associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree in accounting. And she motivated me through all this in saying, "Here's how you do it. Here's how you manage everything. You can do it."

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I love it. So, you have support at work and at home?

Caden Aquino: Oh, I have a wonderful family in her family, my family, friends. I have wonderful friends. I got a [inaudible 00:14:06] brother-in-law and my cousin Aaron are been the most impact people in my life just because I really look up to them. So, it's been awesome.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Sometimes people will say that parents or family don't support them going into the trades or going into roofing, but that sounds like that's totally different here. And you're going to come out of it with a bachelor's. That's pretty impressive.

Caden Aquino: Yeah. Yeah, I definitely have all the support and family and friends and it motivates me every day.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I love it. I love it.

Caden Aquino: And work family.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: And work family. [inaudible 00:14:42]. That is so good. Okay, we've already said this, but I want to say it again. So if somebody's out there listening to this and they're interested in getting into this apprenticeship and then construction management program, all they have to do is?

Caden Aquino: Just get in contact with the right people, contact the company. Even if you're watching this podcast and you're not hired at Tremco or WTI and say, "Listen, this is why I want to work for Tremco. This is why I want to work for WTI. I can come here, I can get a free education, and I got work experience, and it sounds like a great work family to work for."

Heidi J. Ellsworth: That's great. And that is so easy to find. For everybody listening, all you do is go to RoofersCoffeeShop, to the WTI directory, and right at the top you will find all you want on how to get ahold of them, see what kind of jobs you're opening. Read about this, the construction management program and also the apprenticeship. Plus, Caden, I don't know if you know this, but we have all the job listings for WTI in our classified ads so people can find us. There's just so many ways. They can come join you any moment.

Caden Aquino: That's awesome.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: I know. It's all out there. So, thank you so much for sharing this. I have to tell you, I'm really proud of you. Congratulations. This is really great stuff.

Caden Aquino: Thank you.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: And I'm really excited to have you in the roofing industry and just totally inspired by your motivation. So, thank you.

Caden Aquino: Yeah, thank you for having me, and I hope everybody can listen to this and realize how easy it is and how fun it is to work here.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: Yeah. That's what we're going to do. We're going to get it out there. So, thank all of you for listening and watching this videocast. Like I said, you can find information on these programs very easily on the Tremco WTI. There's two directories. You can check either one of them out and get information. You can also get to their website there and to their career center where you can look at the jobs and apply. As Caden said, so simple. It's also in our classified ads. So we'll be featuring these kind of stories from apprenticeships and construction management students like Caden all year long so that people can see just how impressive this group of young people are. Caden, thank you again for being here.

Caden Aquino: Yeah, anytime.

Heidi J. Ellsworth: And thank you all for listening. Please check out all of our podcasts under the read list and watch initiative under Roofing Road Trips. You can find all kinds of great podcasts there. And be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast channel. Subscribe and get notifications so you don't miss a single episode. And we'll be seeing you next time on Roofing Road Trips.

Speaker 1: Make sure to subscribe to our channel and leave a review. Thanks for listening. This has been Roofing Road Trips with Heidi from the rooferscoffeeshop.com.