Nicole Belden
operator
How did you get your start in construction?
Through the Building Strong Communities program. They placed me with a company once I finished the program.
What do you love most about the work you do?
The challenge - every day is something new, so you are constantly learning something new. I’m a Local 49 apprentice, so they provide me with all the training and skills I will need .
Who has been one of your biggest influences and mentors in your career?
The biggest influencer for me to become a Heavy Equipment operator would be my Dad . He is a retired Local 49. Watching him growing up made it easy to know what I wanted to do. My dad was able to provide our family with stability due to being Local 49, and that always appealed to me. Seeing the hard work and dedication along with sacrifice and the benefits it had was what gave me a drive to succeed in this industry .