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Journeyman Marcus Walker joins apprentices Piper Hartmann and Madissen Cox to speak about the value of apprenticeship.
In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week, the Office of Civil Rights spotlights three former graduates of the MnDOT-DEED Highway Heavy Construction Training program, Piper Hartmann, Madissen Cox, and Marcus Walker. This pre-apprenticeship training program succeeds because of the long, strong collaboration among Cement Masons, Plasterers and Shophands Local 633, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and MnDOT OCR supportive services. But most of all, the program succeeds because of the trainees’ full commitment to the hard work.
Piper Hartmann is a 2025 graduate of the program. Hartmann was immediately hired by McGough Construction and is an apprentice with Local 633. Most of Hartmann’s work as a cement finisher with McGough has been setting forms and pouring pavement. She’s 20 years old now and looking far ahead with plans that might include returning to college for construction management.
“I challenged myself in a way that was fun,” Hartmann said about training. “I grew up playing sports, and a lot of the training exercises were very similar to that. I thrive with teamwork.”
Hartmann came upon cement work by chance. “The application said highway heavy construction, and I really didn’t know what that meant. But I knew I wanted a change, and this came at just the right time. I knew I wanted to do something outside and go home tired at the end of the day, physically tired. I wanted to earn being tired because I worked so hard.”
Moke Eaglefeathers, Local 633 instructor, emphasizes the physicality of the work when he speaks with incoming students, and warns them that their conditioning will include hauling many, many buckets of rocks.
“We’re going to push you to set you up for success in this industry,” Eaglefeathers said.
Madissen Cox, a 2023 graduate, said, “I like to show up, work hard, be aggressive. The people I work with are authentic. The work is fast paced. Doing the work has given me independence and stability.”
Cox completed the training program in 2023 and currently is a Local 633 apprentice working with Curb Masters, Inc.
“A lot of times when I go to a job, it’s doing parts here and there.” On one of her earliest projects, however, “we did everything from the footing all the way up. I got to see it all put together, and I got to see everyone else coming through. To look at it when it’s done – wow, that’s crazy!”
MnDOT Office of Civil Rights Director Sean Skibbie, said “We have these training programs to improve outcomes for historically disadvantaged people, to right the wrongs of history, and also, simply, we have a workforce shortage. Construction is a gateway to a great career, with a pension, health care, and possibilities.”
Marcus Walker agrees, “This work changed my life.”
Walker is a 2018 graduate of the MnDOT-DEED Highway Heavy Construction Training. Now he is a journeyman with North Country Concrete, recently promoted to lead person.
“Getting to that point where you know what to do, that’s when I knew I was super into this career,” Walker said, “Finally, I have direction. Not to say that I can’t learn more, but I’m able to do my job efficiently, with quality, and that’s important. We get more work when we do better work.”
“I’m most proud of my dedication to the job,” Walker said. “This is a career for me. This is my ninth year. I’m able to look at all the work that I’ve done. I’m able to recognize what all that time meant. I get to go around pretty much the entire metro area and see something I’ve touched.”
“And, ultimately, it helps more than just myself,” Walker said. “You’re helping to build infrastructure in your community. What’s better than that? You get to literally, physically help build your community. That’s awesome.”
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Current trainees of the MnDOT-DEED Highway Heavy Construction pre-apprentice training program will graduate on May 22. The next session is expected to be held in April – May 2027. For more information, contact Sylvia Garcia, Sylvia.Garcia@state.mn.us.
Learn more about MnDOT Workforce Training programs
By Su Love, MnDOT Office of Civil Rights
Photos, top to bottom:
- Piper Hartmann at her 2025 graduation celebration of the MnDOT-DEED Highway Heavy Construction Training program. Pictured (center) Hartmann and (left to right) Sylvia Garcia, DEED Employment and Training Program Specialist and Local 633 instructors Luke Prebonich, Moke Eaglefeathers, and Cesar Lopez. Photo provided by Piper Hartmann.
- Madissen Cox, Local 633 apprentice, operating a packer on a job site. Photo provided by Madissen Cox.
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