Twenty-seven-year-old Brooklyn native Isaiah Robles has always embraced adventure. The many days he spent fishing and crabbing as a child instilled a sense of curiosity and a love of hard work that continue to drive him today. Perhaps it’s no surprise he excels in an industry that favors the curious.
Robles earned his NCCER Core and Electrical Level 1 certifications from Building Skills NY (BSNY) in 2023 as a participant in the Construction Career Accelerator (CCA) advanced skills training program. Now, he holds a full-time role with our employer partner Premier Construction. His time with the program has allowed him to channel his lifelong interest in hands-on work into meaningful career growth.
“I’m very simple: I like to learn. As long as there’s a good team that’s not making my life any harder and I’m able to learn, I’m super satisfied,” he says.
After short-lived jobs at Blink Fitness, FedEx, and UPS, Robles felt his career begin to stagnate. He began to think more seriously about construction as a pathway to greater fulfillment and continued learning. That’s when he discovered BSNY.
Isaiah on the job site.
Robles came across a recruitment flyer for a no-cost training that BSNY was set to offer in partnership with the community-based organization Commonpoint. The course would allow him to get familiar with construction basics and continue on to more specialized instruction in the electrical trade. Despite his nervousness about transitioning into electrical work, Robles applied and quickly secured an interview. “I felt like I had to get rid of what I had to really find something,” he says. The CCA provided exactly that.
Isaiah (left) during electrical training.
Robles describes the course as straightforward and effective. He appreciated that the program encouraged dedication to honing one’s craft, passion, and purpose. He formed close relationships with like-minded classmates, whose support he relied on and resourcefulness he admired.
Isaiah (second from right) celebrates his training graduation.
He graduated with a new professional network, in-demand certifications, and a deeper understanding of how to navigate the job site. He learned not to take direct communication personally in the fast-paced construction industry and let his work reflect his leadership skills. While the program brought welcome changes for Robles, his curiosity remains the same.
“I ask them questions,” he says of his employers. “I even ask questions about work we may not get to for a while.”