By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News
The Puyallup Tribe Tribal Employment Rights Office and the Machinists Institute came together to assist five individuals from Tribes throughout Washington and Idaho complete a four-week training, earning a safety certificate in forklift operation and welding.
TERO and the Machinists Institute hosted a celebration for students Anthony Nichols, Bartholomew Moody, Kaleb Durglo, Antone Hidalgo-Hawks and Carl Mack on May 29 at the Little Wild Wolves Youth Center in Fife. TERO Coordinator Linda Blue said she felt the emotions tugging at her heartstrings before the certificates were awarded.
“I’m like a mom watching their kids graduate. Watching them grow over the past few weeks and just be so excited and so thankful for the opportunity to get these certifications was great,” Blue said. “Welding and safety, it gives them an even bigger step into the door of construction because they are coming in with multiple skills.”
TERO Compliance Officer Christopher Winters said he is a huge proponent of the trades.
“I think it is important because not everybody is destined for college,” he said. “What people need to understand is that education comes in multiple forms. It’s engage, educate and activate.”
Winters said working in the trades gives individuals an opportunity to earn a living wage.
“You can learn a theory at the Machinists Institute through the TERO Department. You can then practice those transferrable set of skills. … It is like our carvers, canoe families and our weavers. They learn by watching, doing and knowing. Then, you put in the work and you put that into action,” Winters said. “The whole idea is to take these transferrable skills, put it in their hands, hearts and help them develop a plan for success.”
