Industrial & Engineering Technology: Glazier
Industrial & Engineering Technology
Glazier:
Jordan Ross
by Brian McInnis
Jordan Ross has been enrolled in Honolulu Community College's (HCC) construction apprenticeship program as a glazier - an artisan who cuts and installs glass and aluminum - for over two years. That means he's more than halfway to becoming a journeyman union member, and he might even have a job already lined up.
Following in the Footsteps
Glazier is one of about 25 different professions offered in the apprenticeship program at HCC, which also includes electrician, ironworker, and painter. But it was quite obvious to Jordan which one he'd be shooting for. His father is a project manager with Ali'i Glass and Metal based in Kapolei, and he put in the recommendation for Jordan to start the four-year program when he turned 22. "Yeah (I had a talk with my dad) about the future and medical, and benefits and stuff," said Jordan Ross. "Not only that, 'cause for me, I wasn't really doing anything for my future."
A Glaze-What?
Although the native of Waipio Gentry was accepted into the program, the soft-spoken 24-year-old really had no idea what he was getting into. He admits his father's line of work was largely a mystery, shaking his head, saying, "I didn't know much of what he did." That entails the different ways to cut glass or methods to install the product into various types of buildings. "It doesn't take too long (to learn the basics) but you always learn new ways from different people. Everybody has their own ways of doing things. How to break it after you cut it, how to carry it, and all the different methods."
The apprentices also must take a variety of courses, such as blueprint reading and welding, to complete their knowledge of their future field. Jordan suggests blueprint reading is one of the most important things a glazier can pick up. "It is a good class to learn, 'cause if you want to be a journeyman you have to be able to read the blueprints, to apply it onto what you're trying to install, understand what you're trying to do. [Blueprint Reading] is where you want to be to run jobs and that opens up other jobs for you. When you want to retire, you can do project management to run jobs like a boss." Just like his father.
Safety First
The apprentices can't afford to mess around, dealing with a sharp object such as glass. One of the first things the apprentice glaziers do is take a class to become certified in both CPR and first-aid, should an accident occur during training. "I haven't seen something TOO bad," Jordan said, "but I've seen people get cut before, and you just gotta be aware of all your hazards around you and how you can prevent it from someone else tripping or anything like that. It could be anything, a slip, or trip over something, could be the glass was too big for that one person and it broke or fell on them. Could be a lot of things that you have to watch out for." So, has he applied any of his newfound certifications in the field? "No, no, not yet," he said with a large grin.
Make Me That Door
Jordan compares the work of a glazier, to some extent, to what a high school student might do in metal shop (working with aluminum) or even wood shop (glaziers must install glass into different things, including wood). He said a positive, responsible attitude is what a glazier should possess. "Just people willing to work, come to work on time and willing to learn. They're trying to make you into a journeyman; that's your career, that's your profession. Wherever you work, you're expected to be on time and drug free."
According to Jordan, It's a good time to be a glazier. With the many new high-rises going up around town, there's a large amount of workers in demand to prepare glass for entrances and windows. He hopes to have a place with Ali'i Glass (which employs 31 glaziers) when he finishes the apprenticeship in about 24 months from now.
So where does a glazier find satisfaction in his job?…"It's completing a job, just going back to see how it turned out, and just everything is all finished and seeing how nice it is," Jordan said without hesitation. "It's kind of rewarding to think that you were a part of putting that building together."
More information on HCC's apprenticeship programs can be found at http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/...ticeship_guide.pdf.