DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Detroit man who is on the road from "Six Mile to Six Figures" is sharing his story about working in skilled trades. He said it has had a positive impact on him and his family.
Marcell Sanchez Sr. said his journey brought him to the Detroit Training Center to learn a skill that changed his life for the better.
"The things I've built, the houses I've fixed, the people I've met. Just the general respect I get for being a tradesman. I'm a very proud tradesman. I was meant to do this," he said. "I'll do this for the rest of my life, and I want more people to experience this feeling of being an honest, hardworking tradesman giving back to the community."
Sanchez said he's never been so passionate about anything, but the path to becoming a mason wasn't easy. While working in the automotive industry seven days a week, the 24-year-old said he saw a post on Facebook about the Detroit Training Center.
"Honestly, I didn't know if I was interested. I never heard of masonry honestly. It's not popular in the community. I've never seen it done. So I said, I'm doing something that I don't like already and I said 'if I'm going to do something that I don't like let me make some good money while I do it.' So I went to school and as soon as I touched a trowl I knew it was meant to be," he said.
Sanchez graduated in October helping fill the ranks of a profession he says is in demand. Now, he spreads the word every chance he gets.
"Most people in the industry are twice my age. They're tired because it is hard labor. So the younger the better," he said. "That's why I really want to reach this out to kids that are in high school that might want to go right to college and don't know what they want to do. The skilled trades, you'll make more than most college graduates without any debt."
Sanchez said his skilled trade has built-in raises every year, and he wants to coach and mentor people.
"This is for people who haven't found their way in life and do things the right way. I'm tired of seeing people in the community get locked up for doing crimes or making bad decisions become they don't know any other answer. So I want to show people how to invest, how to invest in stocks, how to invest in currencies, how to make money. how to buy real estate Detroit, and that's something that I'm passionate about," he said.
The Detroit Training Center has programs that include
- Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program
- Blight Removal Training Program
- Commercial Driver's License Training Program
- Skilled Construction Laborer Training Program
- Facility Maintenance Training Program
- Logistics Training Program
- Diesel Mechanic Training Program
For more information, click here.
