Laborer Apprentice Yurvina Hernandez
The month of March kicked off with Women In Construction Week, so when we spoke to Yurvina Hernandez, we asked if she had any advice for other women considering a career in construction.
"Never be afraid to try something new." After all, that's exactly what she did.
Before becoming a Laborer Apprentice, Yurvina was a physical therapist. Even though her family owns a construction business and she grew up around the industry, Yurvina had never considered going into the field. Then her sister-in-law decided she wanted to give the work a try and asked Yurvina to be her partner for a training program. Yurvina quickly discovered that she enjoyed the job, graduated from the boot camp, and then joined her union, Local 300.
Now Yurvina is a Level 4 Apprentice and is working in the Project yard at ground level. She helps keep the work site clean, inspects segments of the TBMs when they arrive and guides crane operators as they lower equipment into the Tail Track Exit Shaft (TTES).
Yurvina enjoys being outside and doesn't mind getting dirty if she needs to. She is grateful that she took a chance at this career path and encourages others to try things that may be out of the ordinary, because you never know what you could find.
"It might be something you love."
