Member Highlight: Noah Porter

For Noah Porter (Millwrights Local 1056 - Kaukauna, WI) becoming a union millwright wasn’t just a career choice, it was a life-changing opportunity. Since starting his apprenticeship in August 2023 with Valley Machine and Iron, Noah has embraced the trade with pride, passion, and a strong sense of purpose.

Noah’s journey into the millwright trade began while working in an industrial mechanical role. “I first learned about the trade through contractors at my previous job,” he shared. “They told me about the benefits of being in the UBC and I was immediately interested.” Without access to apprenticeship opportunities before, joining the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) gave him the chance to pursue his love of machinery while building a better life.

What excites Noah most about the apprenticeship program is the variety and potential it offers. “The day-to-day responsibilities of a millwright vary so much and that is one thing about this trade that I love. When it comes to the installation and maintenance of machinery, there is nobody better than UBC Millwrights. One day we might be changing a roll in a paper machine. These rolls can be 30' long and are required to be level within 0.002."

Noah recommends the apprenticeship program to others, noting the top-tier instructors, training facilities, and debt-free learning. “Instead of taking out student loans, I’m getting a better and more comprehensive education for free. The UBC’s International Training Center is over a million square feet—completely dedicated to member education. You won’t find anything like it elsewhere.”

Attending the Organizing, Political, and Communications (OPC) Conference at the International Training Center in Las Vegas was a memorable experience for Noah. “It was incredible. Seeing the facilities, meeting fellow brothers and sisters, and learning how our union is structured was an experience I’ll never forget,” he said, extending his thanks to North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC) Wisconsin Political Director Andrew Disch and Deputy Political Director Noel Lewin for the opportunity.

Noah with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers at the NCSRCC 'In It To Win It' Political Rally in October 2024.

In the field, Noah had a memorable moment at a powerhouse near St. Louis. “I got a one-on-one tour and was able to place my hand on a running steam turbine casing. Knowing that it was generating power for an entire city was unforgettable.” From aligning massive paper machine rolls to welding in foundries, Noah thrives on the challenging and ever-changing nature of the trade. “If it was easy, we wouldn’t be doing it!” he shared.

Noah offers simple advice to high school students unsure about college,: “Join the trades. You’ll get world-class training, great benefits, and no student debt. In the UBC, the opportunities are endless.”

For Noah Porter, being a union millwright is more than a job—it as a badge of honor. “I’m proud to carry that title. Coming from poverty, the union has changed my life. The UBC’s motto ‘Labor Omnia Vincit’—Labor Conquers All—is something I live by every day.”