New York, NY – IUOE Local 15 builds the highways, the bridges, the tunnels, the skyscrapers, housing, schools, airports and subways, to name just a few. They build, rebuild and renovate. They are the infrastructure and foundation of the City. The members are the operators and maintenance engineers of heavy construction equipment, the welders, survey engineers, and shop mechanics – and this is just a short list of the Local’s reach and accomplishments.
Tranay Coble, apprentice at the Local, reflects those attributes. She is a person who grew up in an environment that she was determined to surmount, she succeeded, and made her own way to where she is now.
LP: Where did you grow up and how did your early environment influence you?
TC: First off humans have a strong need for security and safety and look for those attributes in their environment. I wanted somewhere to offer the right amount of stimulus. I grew up in the Northeast section of Bronx, NY. The environment influenced me enough to know, this is not where I wanted to stay my whole life. Enough to know I will not raise a child or have a family here. Also to know I will not be a product of that environment, it was only a stepping stone for a greater destiny.
LP: You, like many outstanding women, came to the industry through the organization Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW). How did you hear about the program, and what had sparked your interest in the trades in the first place?
TC: NEW prepares, trains, and places women in careers in the skilled construction, utility, and maintenance trades, helping women achieve economic independence and a secure future for themselves and their families. I didn’t come from a family of construction nor did I have any construction exposure growing up. I heard about NEW through a family friend. She told me she recalled seeing advertisements while riding the train back in the day.
Initially, as a child I was curious to know what were those big things on the tall buildings in the city. At that time I was scared of heights yet wanted to be up there, thinking I would be able to see the whole world.
I was able to quit my job, did some research and found out that was the heavy equipment side of the construction field.
LP: Did you have other careers before deciding on your current path?
TC: Indeed I did. At the age of fourteen I acquired my working papers, starting my resume with after school programs and summer camps. Later then acquiring my CDL driver’s license, to driving trucks. Received my Pistol permit for security. Then got into the medical field. My last career before getting into Operating Engineer, I worked at New York Presbyterian Hospital for five years as a phlebotomist and endoscopy tech.
LP: What stands out as far as what you learned at NEW?
TC: One of the main things that stands out the most as an alumni of NEW is that I still don’t see a lot of women in the field. I understand construction is not for everyone yet it will be nice to see women that will step out of their comfort zone. Find something that they like, enjoy it and accomplish great things.
LP: What has your apprenticeship experience been like so far?
TC: The IUOE Local 15 Apprenticeship Program itself has been a good experience thus far. Most apprentices are not allowed to sit in on their union meetings. We have been given the honor to do so. Class is two days a week. We attend and have great events plus I’ve been able to learn a plethora of skills for free. I’ve also learned how to work with other people in the work place on a better level, how to take responsibility, how to participate in the work place and also how to manage my finances a lot better.
LP: What skills have you learned?
TC: In my time as an apprentice. I am honored to say that I have learned how to operate heavy equipment on construction sites that build the highways, the bridges, the tunnels, the skyscrapers, housing, schools, airports and subways, just to name a few. I’ve assisted in building, rebuild and renovations. I have learned how to weld which is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool, causing fusion.
It has been a pleasure to learn Machine maintenance which is the work that keeps mechanical assets running with minimal downtime. Machine maintenance can include regularly scheduled service, routine checks, and both scheduled and emergency repairs. It also includes replacement or realignment of parts that are worn, damaged, or misaligned. I’ve been able to maintain my car after learning these skills which is definitely truly beneficial.
LP: As an apprentice, you are in the minority as far as being a woman is concerned. What has that been like for you?
TC: Bringing a different and valuable perspective to an industry where most of your peers are men. In many ways women have a different approach or thought process, which provides unique points of view when analyzing, planning and problem solving. Studies have shown that women are better at analytical thinking than men. Due to the way the female brain is wired, we can better understand multiple perspectives and communicate effectively. Women experience life differently than men do. You get to bring those different experiences to the table and potentially expose a new outlook or resolution.
