Below you will see an article published on BRT’s website about Sean Pittman, an SJCC graduate who has gone on to have a very successful career in construction. Great job, Mr. Pittman—we are all so proud of you!

“BRT Project – Bringing Jobs to Local Workers Like West Oakland’s Sean Pittman”

“The East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) construction is officially underway, and that means good paying construction jobs are being filled by talented local workers from Oakland, San Leandro and across the East Bay. But hiring managers did not have to go far to find Sean Pittman. The motivated West Oakland native embodies the very definitions of initiative and work ethic.

Sean started as a laborer and over the past 17 years, has ascended the ladder of success to become a Foreman at O. C. Jones & Sons, Inc., the BRT project contractor.

Sean shies away from the accolades that highlight how “he’s beaten the odds” and instead attributes his success to the time-honored principal of hard work. “I tell people who say they want to get into construction that it’s not easy. Be prepared to go to work! Yet I like what I do because I learn something new every day,” says Sean.

Sean also attributes his success in construction to his father, a successful electrical contractor. He may have followed in his father’s footsteps but Sean realized ultimate success in construction meant studying the trade. So at a young age, Sean enrolled in the Sacramento Job Corps construction training program. As a Job Corps participant, he was afforded an invaluable opportunity:  a “tour of trades” which exposes participants to a variety of construction skillsets.

Sean remembers thinking, “That job looks cool! That job looks fun!” A zeal for learning, coupled with strong math skills, exceptional hand-eye-coordination, and hard work quickly proved Sean had found his career calling.  Within one and half years, Sean was a proud graduate of Sacramento’s Job Corps.  He subsequently completed 6,500-hour apprentice training to secure his Journeyman designation. Sean has never looked back!”