Creation Date: 02/07/2024

Location of Service: 60804-1744

Program Details

Mariana Guzman was born and raised in Chicago. Growing up in a Catholic household, Mariana developed a strong foundation in faith. However, her journey and experiences ingrained her dedication to being a good person. Mariana stated, “I believe good follows those who do good, and most importantly, I believe in myself.” Mariana decided she needed a change from the office-based jobs - she wanted to follow her childhood dream to become a welder, have a better life, and have a more stable career with better pay. Mariana talked to her dad and friends who are certified welders, and they encouraged Mariana to pursue her dreams. After those conversations, she took a leap of faith and applied to the Chicago Women in Trades’ Women in Welding program. She impressed the staff with her serious work ethic and calm, positive attitude during enrollment. Mariana joined the Welding program’s Spring of 2023 class and excelled throughout. In June of 2023, before the end of the program, Mariana applied and was chosen to participate in the first All-Women’s Ironworker Pre-Apprenticeship 3-week pilot training program coordinated by Local 1, Local 63, and Local 444. Ten candidates were admitted. Only six people were going to receive direct entry. With three weeks remaining before her official graduation in August of 2023, Mariana was selected as one of the ten candidates. She left the Women in Welding program in good standing to enter another intensive training program. Mariana continued in her path of excellence. She completed her pre-apprenticeship training program and was one of the six selected for direct entry into a Trades Union – one of the most competitive Ironworkers Local 1. She has since been working through her apprenticeship period and has made great strides in skills and wages. By October 2023, Mariana landed a job working through Local 1 at Metropolitan Steel, with hourly starting wages of $34.00.