Milwaukee Tools Apprentice of The Month - Will Flores

It’s important when you join a Union to think of it as gaining not so much a job as a career. In addition to that, you are also gaining a family that will stick with you for the rest of your career and, for many of us, the rest of your life. One important aspect of that is treating those around you, even those with less experience, with the same amount of respect and dignity. This organization can think of no better person who exemplifies those qualities than Will Flores, February’s Apprentice of the Month.

“When I was a freshman in high school, we were asked about what we wanted to be when we graduated. I still have the notebook, the same paper that says, ‘I want to be an electrician,’” says Will, fulfilling a dream his grandfather would have been infinitely proud to see. “This career has changed my life. I get to travel for my work and do things that make people happy. I’m working in an elementary school right now and I get to know these kids will enjoy the benefits of my work for years to come.”

Will has always had a knack for looking out for his fellow apprentices on the jobsite, and it’s something he’s now known for. When it comes to how journeymen and other upper classmen treat incoming apprentices, Will has a few things to say.

“They were in the same position as you at one point, never forget that,” says Will. “They don’t know everything and neither do you, lean into that. You have to always have an open mind and patience. Those two things are the keys to everything.”

As far as his performance in the field is concerned, there are only positive responses from those with whom Will works. One such person is a long-time friend and coworker, now supervisor, Weston Hibben, who himself recently turned out from the apprenticeship.

“He’s great, I’ve known him for about four years,” says Weston. “He is an apprentice who works hard, asks goods questions, and provides good solutions to problems. He is going to make a good journeyman and a good foreman.”

For his hard work, Will shall receive a PACKOUT bag and hand tool from Milwaukee Tools and congratulations from the JATC and its staff.