The Laborers Training School - Azusa, California

Jose R.

I did the laborers training camp on 3 hrs of sleep and no lunch till after it was over .. I came from a company that worked mandatory 12 hr shifts w no breaks or lunch ... That course is designed to break you physically and mentally u gotta really want it .. I seen grown men crying / cramping up and getting carried out .. the class was originally like 50 people only 7 of us made it. I seen guys built like UFC fighters not make it .. if your not a hard worker don't wast your time because it ain't easy .oh and you don't get paid to train . Or gas money for the travel .

Rthe G.

I know people who are illegal undocumented immigrants working through this particular union and get paid well. While citizens like us with higher education struggle to even get hired here. SHAME ON YOU LABORERS UNION! Remember it’s called braking the LAW!!

Eli_ C.

Strongly don’t recommend I did the apprenticeship program they try and get you with the pension benefits and pay nonsense but they forget to tell you it only applies if your actually working so no work nothing comes your way for them to keep you working all year good luck if u don’t already have connections in construction this is going to be brutal and vacation check only come when you work with a union company which they do more business with non union companies than union so what the point and dues always Mando doesn’t matter if your out of work they’ll suspend you if you don’t pay so good luck if u decided to go this route.

Steven S.

I just finished the boot camp. It was one of the most difficult but one of the most rewarding things i have done in my life. You are being instructed by some of the best in the industry. The way they motivated and helped me apply technique to the task really pushed me to dig deep and overcome. This is not for everybody, if you really do not have passion or desire to better yourself or build a future career, i would not waste the schools time or your own. Now if you want to better your life and are up for change with a brighter future in mind. Then i say go for it prepare to work!!

Daisy R.

Came in today at the location in Bakersfield to get more information about the training, came upon a white lady at the desk just to be rude and wouldn’t answer my questions. All she did was give me a paper and said to look up the information online. The reason I came in person was so I can get a better understanding from someone else’s perspective. But she immediately shut me up with just saying “check the link , it’s on there” and sent me on my way. Absolutely disgusted with her behavior. What a waist of gas and time.

Nathan ?. P.

Boot camp is unreasonable.. under osha standards a person should not be carrying 94lb sand bags, 2 12 foot 45lb wooden planks, and two cinder blocks 37lb each back and forth fifty feet for 8 hours a day. Small fifteen-thirty second water breaks. And everything timed. I understand some people can do it and are highly physically capable. I had a sponsorship into a good job that wouldn’t require anywhere near this amount of work. It was extremely exhausting. Everyone was struggling but about half of the group couldn’t even finish. I am disappointed that this is what it takes to get into the union because most jobs will be using other ways to transport the necessary materials. I know how to work hard. And I was more than capable to perform my job duties. I’m not one to give up easily. But there’s no way I could do all that the laborers school was asking for three days nearly non-stop. Also if you do tap out or fail then you must wait 6 months to try again.. I think that there is something wrong with the boot camp and somewhat discriminates but I guess if that’s what it takes to pass then it is what it is. I just don’t feel like it was justifiable. I had to quit due to heat exhaustion symptoms. I was given a 5 min heat break but that was still not enough. And you only get one heat break for the whole week which also seems wrong. Especially because they just showed a video on heat exhaustion in their class about how you should take breaks which will help you perform better. It truly was brutal. My arms are bruised and my shoulders are sore. It got to the point where I had to use some back muscle and so now I have some lower back muscle pain. I guess I wasn’t strong enough. I gave it all I could and it wasn’t enough. I consider myself above average in work ethic. I wasn’t the first to tap out and I am sure I wasn’t the last. If it was for one day then maybe that would make more sense.. but even so, most jobs won’t even let you lift more than fifty pounds at a time. I was able to complete 6 rounds of the three courses back to back. And to be honest, anyone who does complete it I do give respect and props to them.

The union has good benefits though but that’s a whole different thing. If you can make it then you can possibly retire in 25 years. Power through it. A lot of it is in your mindset. Do everything you can to not think about stopping or quitting. I got to the point where I was getting dizzy and I just couldn’t continue. Even if I did continue my arms or fingers were going to give out soon anyways. Good luck to those who attempt it. It’s no joke. Stay in school kids.

Ernesto L.

One of the most amazing experience I had,
It help me get more knowledge on construction. The Boot Camp gave me a lot of resistance specially when we pour concrete for long hours on the company I work for now.
Great training !

( Or stay in school kids )

G D.

I did the boot camp in 108 degrees and killed it. To prepare I suggest doing the things you will actually be doing during boot camp. Carrying cinder blocks, planks, 94 lb bags, shoveling. Basic workouts at the gym won't have you properly prepared.do what u will be doing and mix in some hiking or run, walk, jog up and down stairs for an hour and more.. and know this DONT QUIT YOU WILL NEVER WORK AS HARD ON THE JOB AS YOU WILL AT THE BOOT CAMP.